Work-life balance: the key to productivity and happiness
We are living in an age where everything is ‘go go go!’ and it often feels like there is no time for a breather. And while the need to earn a living and the quest to live a comfortable life are both necessary, it sometimes comes at the expense of our health and personal life. Stress levels rise, blood pressure spikes and anxiety becomes a norm. But the good news is, it doesn’t have to continue like this. There are ways you can turn things around and they are pretty simple.
Plan your time
There never seems to be enough hours to do everything we need to. And that is all right. The key is to plan your time so that you can get important things done first. Pen a list of tasks in order of their importance. Finish the urgent ones first before tackling the rest. You will be more productive and feel less stressed.
Have fixed working hours
If you work at an office, you already have your hours planned for you. If you’re a freelancer or a part-timer, set aside hours for work and try to stick with them. If you don’t, you’ll find yourself working long past evening with no time for anything else.
Take small breaks
When working, take short breaks in between whenever you can. There may be times when it’s just not possible to rest but make it a point to have a lunch break. Stand up and stretch every 20 minutes or so. It increases blood flow to your muscles and helps you feel more awake.
Exercise often to stay healthy and stress-free
Treat exercise the way you would work. Give it the same importance and not something that’s optional. You don’t need to spend hours at the gym; a 30-minute walk every day or at least three times a week is fine. Physical activity releases feel-good hormones, reduces stress, keeps you refreshed and helps lose weight.
Have ‘me’ time
‘Me’ time is incredibly important in helping maintain a healthy work-life balance. It could be taking a long bath, catching a movie, reading or painting – anything you love that helps you de-stress and relax.
Don’t bring work home
Work should stay in the workplace. If you work from home, disconnect from the internet and avoid checking your emails once you’re done for the day. Research has shown that checking after-work emails can increase anxiety and damage relationships.
Work is a part of life but it’s just that – a part. Balancing it with a healthy personal life is vital to reducing stress and keeping yourself from burning out. You’ll be able to achieve more and will be a lot happier.
