Work is very important especially those who have a family to feed. Having a stable job also helps a person or an entire household pay bills and buy things they desire.
However, we are living in a digital world where we make ourselves more accessible even outside work. As a result, you are bombarded with emails, calls or text messages from your boss or co-workers even if you’re not in front of your computer desk, all thanks to your mobile phone.
A Harvard Business School survey reveals that “94 percent of working professionals reported working more than 50 hours per week”, while almost half of those who were surveyed “said they worked more than 65 hours per week.”
Unsurprisingly, being overworked results to stress, strained relationships, poor health, and poor quality of life; and these may come as worse when you are beginning to hate your job, your company, and even yourself. However, this should not be the case.
Here are some tips to achieve that work-life balance for a better well-being:
1. Set boundaries especially when you’re outside of work
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Imagine that you have a family night. Just as you are preparing to spend the evening with your family, you see a text message from your boss, saying he needs something urgent from you. It may take time before you are able to provide that “important” data, but that also meant cutting your family bonding time in half. So what will you do?
Life coach Melanie Allen suggests: “Don’t answer straight away. Say you’ll get back to the person asking, then use that time to think clearly about whether to say yes or no. If you want to say yes, fine. But if you want to say no, say no and keep saying it. Don’t justify your actions or give excuses. There’s no need to be nasty or rude.”
2. Use that vacation leave
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Most companies have paid leaves as part of the employee’s perks, so why not take advantage of it? It can help you breathe and relax from all the stress of work. If you have the budget, use that vacation leave and travel and explore the world beyond the four corners of your office.
3. Have time for exercise
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Getting too swamped at work is not an excuse not to maintain your physical health. You can do simple stretching and desk exercises during your break time to break the monotony. Various studies reveal that sitting in a long period of time can put you at higher risk of having cardiovascular diseases and other health problems.
4. Never make the office your home
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Some people tend to be overzealous in their tasks, which sometimes they already forget to keep track of the time – it’s already 7 in the evening, and you’re the only one left in the office! Don’t be that overzealous employee. After all, there’s always tomorrow, and there’s your own house to go home to.
5. Plan ahead
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This is one of the most important keys to achieving that work-life balance. Plan your day as early as the moment you wake up, or even the night before. Create a schedule for the day, and take note of upcoming meetings for the day and for the next coming days so you can prepare for your presentation if there’s a need. As mentioned earlier, plan ahead if you are planning to have a vacation leave.
6. Put health, family and other personal matters first
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Too much work can create a toll on your health and your personal relationships. Thus, be there for your loved one’s important moments like birthdays or anniversaries, and should be the same if someone in your family is ill. Likewise, don’t force yourself to go to the office when sick because it can surely affect the quality of your work for that day. After all, it’s your responsibility to take care of yourself, not the company.
7. Be friendly and reliable
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Being reliable does not mean always saying “yes” to your boss’ demands or your co-worker’s invitation for a weekend night out. Instead, have time to socialize with your co-workers during lunch or coffee breaks. You can even go to weekend night outs with them, but make sure it would not overlap with your personal matters.
