Most people these days, myself included, are busy trying to balance a career, a family and or a farm. It can be difficult at times to keep that happy balance between work and life, and it can be a struggle to keep all sides perfectly balanced. I know for myself; that in the summer months, it can be even more of a battle.
Keeping that balance can be tough. The sliding scales of life often go back and forth between what pays the bills and what we do to enjoy life outside of paying the bills. Finding that perfect balance is something we cannot always achieve, and we must remember to be kind to ourselves when we are not able to keep things perfectly balanced.
Being out of balance with work and life can lead to feeling like you are neglecting certain aspects of your life. You may be tired all the time, or you may feel like your productivity at work is not up to par. These feelings can lead to added stress, which will in turn keep the scales shifted in the wrong direction. It is important to remember that you are in control, and there are things you can do to help bring yourself back into balance.
• Set a designated time to check work emails: Having a set time to check work emails will allow you to focus on other tasks at hand and not become distracted by incoming messages. You can check emails when you first arrive at work and again just before the end of the day. This will help streamline your day and allow time for you to get caught up on things that you may be behind on or that need extra attention. If possible, try not to check work emails from home, this will take away from your home time and can cause extra stress and worry outside of work hours.
• Make time for a mind break: If the option allows, it is good for the mind to give a little break here and there throughout the day. Take a few minutes to get up and walk around, chit-chat with a coworker if you are in the office or scroll through social media. You will find that the little breaks in between will keep you from getting overwhelmed and can help you refocus your mind on the task at hand. You may find that you are more productive and get more accomplished.
• Get organized: Using a daily planner or desk calendar can help you map out your days and keep you on track. Planning and knowing what your next day at work and at home will look like will help reduce stress and help you feel accomplished and organized.
• Leave work at work: I cannot stress the importance of leaving work at work and not taking it home with you. It can be tricky and not easy at times if you have a demanding position or employees who count on you, but it is something that will stop your work life from impeding your home life and will help create the balance that you are looking for.
• Delegate, Delegate, Delegate: Delegating chores at home or the office can take some of the weight off. Many hands make light work, and if all the chores or tasks get done, that will open the door for more time to do the things you enjoy.
With many aspects of life, being mindful of a situation can be the first step toward achieving the results you are working toward. Once you identify the areas at work and home that need balance, you can begin adjusting things in your daily life. This adjustment will lead to a greater balance between your work life and personal life.
Remember to be kind to yourself, practice self-care, and reach out for help if you need it. If you need support, you can contact CMHA South Cariboo for mental health support at 250-395-4883. The office is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You can also call the Emergency Crisis Line 24 hours a day at 1-888-353-2273 or the Suicide Crisis Line at 9-8-8. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
