How to create a better work - life balance

How to create a better work - life balance!

Become your own super cheerleader!

Are you feeling like you spend all your time at work, come home to eat, shower and sleep 

then go back to work?

That's probably because that's exactly what you have been doing.

Well ok, so you probably had several months off unless you are an essential worker , in 

which case you are probably super worn out and we are so sorry about that.

But if you are feeling like work has taken over your life then it's probably a good time to do

 something about it.

It's important to have time even at work for self care! Getting in some rest or break 

periods is essential if you are to maintain focus and be able to perform at your best. 

If you work in a fast paced and stressful environment daily, this will eventually take toll on

 you and you may become tired, frustrated or burnout.

Creating a good work life balance is essential to help prevent stress and burnout.

Studies show that work related stress is quite prevalent and can have a knock on effect on 

overall health and well being. Stress can create problems for your physical as well as your 

mental health.

 Among these are problems to your digestive system, hypertension, body

 aches as well as depression and anxiety.

If you are looking for ideas that can help you create a  better work-life balance, then you 

have come to the right place!

Here are some tips I have put together that could help you create that essential breathing 

space that you crave.

1.  Reduce your hours.

 Are you able to work for less hours? If you are in a position to take a slightly lower salary,

 it might be well worth your while and your health to consider it.

 If you really can't afford to take a pay cut but would benefit from spending less time in 

  your main job, why not  consider  creating other income streams to make up for the 

shortfall.

 Here are some ideas that people have turned into great side hustles.

 Extra income streams and side hustles are what its all about these days and can be great  

 for freeing up time from the restrictions of the daily 9-5 as well as put some extra cash in

 your pockets! we all can benefit from extra cash, right?

 However, before you go signing up to anything, do your research and see what is a good 

fit for you!

2. Work from home 

Since the pandemic many companies globally have had to adapt to work from home 

solutions in order to continue to supply services.

 While  in most cases these were temporary solutions, it has also given employers the 

chance to see that this can be a more permanent arrangement, that can offer a solution to 

problems many employees faced ; from the stress of having a daily commute to 

issues with providing care.

This makes it a great time to think about whether your job is able to offer a work from 

home solution. 

3. Opt for a career change

 Maybe it's time to stir things up a bit.

 What did you always wanted to do? Could you do something else other than your 9 -5?

 Self employment maybe? or, take a look at these careers people have considered to create 

greater ease.

12 career change ideas for the over 50s

6 High - paying jobs that are great for career changers

Want to successfully change your career at 30, 40 or 50?

This article  also offers an interesting perspective.

4. Re focus 

 What changes can you make to restructure your day in order to have 

more time at your disposal? 

I am against taking work home but, depending on your job, perhaps you could take small 

tasks home to complete, a planning aspect maybe? 

 Or, complete on your commute if you travel by train and have a long journey. Use this

 time to plan ahead for the next day. Just brainstorming ideas and making small notes can 

make a world of difference.

 The idea is to plan and be organized so you don't waste time during the day and if at all 

possible, aim to get out of work earlier so you have more time at home.

We want do our jobs the best way we can and sometimes forget to look after ourselves in

 the process. 

Whatever you do, don't allow yourself to take on more work than is reasonable

 for you to complete. Be kinder to yourself.  Don't over commit !

5. Plan a holiday! 

Breaks away are good to help you recharge and re centre and also give

 you the chance to broaden your perspective, your experiences and interaction with people 

you may not usually come in contact with in your day to day. 

Time away with friends, spouse or family is great to help you reconnect, rebuild or 

strengthen time worn relationship ties. 

Here are a few ideas.

Holiday ideas and things to do - England

Top 10 best holiday destinations

6. Create new opportunities

Create opportunities for fun either with your family or for your self if you are a 

singleton. 

Try not to spend all your 'at home' time on the sofa as that will make you feel 

extra tired, bored and frustrated.

 Develop a hobby either at home or one that gets you out and about. Building something 

else in will definitely help to take the edge off work.

Here are some  great examples

• Join a book club
• Play a team sport
• Plan a weekend away
• Round robin eating out at friends' home (take out or homemade as below)
• 'Come dine with me' with friends (take turn cooking up a storm)
• Join a poetry reading /writing club
• Take a cooking or baking course
• Take a life drawing class, jewellery making, craft or painting etc
• Plan quirky dates out to different places or date nights in. If in a couple alternative choosing where to go.
• Games night with friends or family
• Getting to know you trivia.10 things about me/you. Fun facts etc

Life is less of a monotone when you have something exciting to look forward to. Try to get

 as much out of your day as you can.

Even a once per week activity on a different night of the week each time, could have a huge

 impact on your state of mind and well being.

 Be spontaneous and mix it up. It doesn't have to be only at the weekend.

Whatever you do, don't put off living until retirement!