( After a long gap I am writing this post. I was hospitalized for health issues. Now I am back and let us continue where I have left).

“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule but to schedule your priorities”.- Stephen Covey.

The ever-changing and unpredictable world has thrown many challenges into our life. Though technology has made life easy, the pressure to be continuously trying to be on the top step of the ladder has taken its toll. In this scenario, the line between home life and work life has become blurred and confusing.

Now is the time that you need to learn the skill to look at yourself so that you can run your life smoothly and productively at work and home life and achieve your goals with minimum stress and tension and be there for your near and dear ones when the need arises and at the same time also fulfill your commitments towards your job and career.

With this also you have to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. All this comes down to one important thing the work-life balance. 

There is a huge misconception that work-life Balance means giving equal time to your work and family. But in modern terms and time this is not true. Having a healthy work-life balance simply means feeling fulfilled and satisfied, having a feeling of accomplishment in both areas – work, and life (your own personal life).

Finding a work-life balance helps you refuel your spirit and deliver elevated performance. Your life consists of family, friends, near and dear ones, health, love, career, time to feel happy, and much more. A good happy life requires both these aspects- your personal and professional life.

What is work-life balance?

According to www.businessnewsdaily.com work-life balance is the state of equilibrium where a person equally prioritizes the demands of one’s career and the demands of one’s personal life.

Work-life balance word came into use in the 1970s as stressed baby boomers stove to achieve a balanced career, family, and other areas of their life. It is the division of one’s time and focus between working and family or leisure activities.

It is typically defined as the amount of time you spend doing your work (job), and the amount of time you spend with your family and friends and even pursuing your hobbies, and interests, and following your passion.

Why work-life balance is important?

Today, competition in every field has become very cutthroat in the workplace. Making a career has become extremely tough. People spend almost 18 hours at the office without a break and this continues even on weekends. ( I know this because my son-in-law and nephew are doing the same).

This may make a dent in their relationships with their family because they are not able to be with their family and friends. This scenario has to be changed. The question is how.

Work-life balance is important because it allows you to maintain a beautiful balance in the time you give to your work and family. Having a good work-life balance improves the quality of your life and you will have a feeling of fulfilling your duties in both the areas of your life- personal and professional.

How to achieve a healthy work-life balance?

1. Take time off in between work.

This is essential to increase your productivity and it helps in dealing with stress and tension better. You cannot go on working for long hours continuously. Our human body is not designed that way. Doing desk exercises or taking short walking of 10 minutes every hour does the trick.

This will make you alert, help you recover from fatigue, and enhance your interest and agility at work. It will also help you to relax your tired muscles.

2. Maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Being healthy- physically, mentally, and emotionally plays a big and important role in finding work-life balance. An unhealthy lifestyle affects both personal and professional life adversely and that in turn becomes a burden to your employers as well as your family.

Good physical health helps you in being alert, energetic, and more productive. A relaxed and calm mind helps you have clarity of thoughts and manage stress in a better way.

Related Posts- Amazing benefits of practicing yoga.

Benefits of regular walking.

3. Determine whether to bring office work at home.

” Invest in your work-life balance. Time with friends and family is as important as time at work. Getting that out of balance is a path toward unhappiness.- Stephen Gillett.

Most of today’s young people bring work home to make up and finish their deadlines. The inability to finish the work and bring it home is a major issue in maintaining a work-life balance.

It not only hinders your family time but also your rest and relaxation time. So as far as possible try to complete your work and come home to peacefully enjoy your life. Plan and make strategies to work and then take action.

Better write the plan in a notebook so as to not waste time thinking about what work has to be done on a priority basis.

4. Manage time effectively and efficiently.

Many people underestimate the importance of time management. As a result, they get overwhelmed by the enormity of a heap of uncompleted work at the end of the day and find they do not have time for themselves.

They start feeling burdened. Setting a routine and following it with self-discipline is a major task in making work-life balance possible. Time management is working in a smarter way to enhance your productivity.

Failing to manage your time properly and effectively cause stress, tension, and unnecessary worries.

Related Posts Best way to manage time efficiently.

Efficient time management tips to reduce stress and achieve success.

5. Avoid being perfect.

As a human, it’s impossible to be perfect in everything you do so stop expecting it. As you keep on moving towards the top ladder of success and as your family grows your responsibilities multiply.

Perfectionism becomes out of reach. To expect perfectionism in everything you do is destructive and may hamper your progress in both, your personal and professional life.

Marily Puder-York, Ph.D. says, “The key to avoid burning out is to let go of perfectionism. As life gets more expanded, it’s very hard, both neurologically and psychologically to keep the habit of perfection going. The healthier option is to strive not for perfection but for excellence”.

Related Post- How to accept your imperfections.

6. Learn the art of delegating your work.

Sometimes, you become so slave of your habits that you are scared to change them. You have a doubt whether the other person will finish the task according to your liking.

This rigid mindset has to be changed. Delegating work at the office and at home is an art everyone should learn to lead a stress-free life and maintain a work-life balance.

Finding out what you can do to let go in ways that benefit other people by giving them opportunities to grow. Believe and trust their abilities. This way, you are giving them a chance to learn something new and free you up so you may devote your time and attention to more important priorities.

7. Learn to say NO.

I insist on this because personally, I have suffered a lot in my career by saying ‘Yes’ to everything and everyone (Even though my intention was good).

You have to say a big, polite but firm NO when you mean NO. In the beginning, you may find it challenging and even feel uncomfortable but you have to say no when you have more important priorities in your pocket.

If you genuinely want to create a work-life balance, you have to say no when needed. Set your boundaries and stop being a people pleaser. Empower and be determined to stick to those boundaries. And you need not feel guilty about or give an explanation to say NO.

8. Plan your personal time and follow it.

Personal care is important. It boosts your confidence. You have to take time for your personal care. It’s not a waste of time but an essential routine to build your self-esteem, self-image, and self-worth.

Personal time includes time spent with your family and friends. Remember they are part of your life and it’s necessary that you take time off for them. You can go for a long drive or enjoy some time spent with your pets.

Your family needs your love, care, time, and attention. This is always a part of a healthy work-life balance.

9. Unplug from time to time.

Though it’s difficult in the age of emails, smartphones, and a round-the-clock culture of social media browsing, it’s essential and very important to unplug when you find yourself becoming increasingly obsessed with your work.

This constant ‘tech mode’ allows your mind continuously think about some or another thing. Switching off from this barrage of notifications results in decreasing the stress and unnecessary tensions and worries.

It allows space to be more creative and think of new ideas. Actually, after unplugging, you may come back with more energy, refreshed, and empowered to tackle challenges more practically.

10. Take long vacations.

The pandemic and lockdown have affected people very badly. In fact, many families have completely forgotten about vacations. People have become very insecure and scared about their job and even life.

The huge numbers of layoffs and other financial matters have set fear in your minds. But let us be positive and optimistic about our future and start thinking of spending time with family by going on vacations.

Vacations refresh your mind, recharge your batteries, and you will return to work with more energy and focus. Of course, vacation doesn’t have to be expensive, far-off places. the main purpose of the vacation is to be off from your grinding schedule.

So even a short staycation will help you to unwind. Vacation will make you more productive because it rejuvenates your mind and body.

11. Ask for help if needed.

Many people shy away from asking for help. They feel that it’s not good. But it’s a very important aspect of work-life balance. Let us face it every one of us needs help for something. We are interdependent.

When you are confused, in a dilemma, or are not able to take any decision, ask for help from someone you trust. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak. Actually, asking for help may prove valuable to the receiver and giver.

Asking for help should be done in a polite way, choosing the right time and being specific.

Positive effects of work-life balance.

1. You will have less stress. When you are in control of your life and know how to balance your work and family commitments you will feel relaxed and have less tension.

2. It’s a proven fact that work-life balance or harmony can help you in preventing fatigue, illness, and insomnia. Your productivity will increase and you have more opportunities to climb the ladder of success faster.

3. You will have less burnout so you will feel more energetic, alert, and focused.

4. You feel a sense of fulfillment, contentment, and accomplishment so more satisfied and in a happy state of mind.

5. You will have a strong bonding at your workplace with your boss and colleagues as well as your family members and friends.

6. You can pursue your passion and hobbies. This will develop a wider range of skills and expand your knowledge. Hobbies are huge stress busters so it will help you to unwind from daily grinding.

Conclusion.

Actually, work-life balance is something that many people struggle to achieve in their daily life. They go through stress, tension, and unnecessary worries. Maybe it’s difficult to achieve a work-life balance where nothing is certain.

Maintaining work-life balance is essential for our physical, mental, and emotional health. Work-life balance lessens your burden on your job and gives time with your family which in turn increases your productivity and peace of mind.

Do not get overwhelmed but begin to set the tempo and slowly and steadily you will succeed in achieving this feat.

(What steps are you taking to balance your work and family? Please write to me in the comment section. If you find the post helpful, please like and share).

The post 11 Best Tips to Achieve Healthy Work-Life balance. appeared first on eversunshinelife..