6 tips to help achieve work-life balance

By MiNDFOOD

6 tips to help achieve work-life balance
If you love your job but also love your life outside your job, the news is good for you. Getting ahead at work doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice everything else in your life. In fact, we have some top tips to help you have it all.

Life is full of ups and downs and some seasons are a lot more busy than others. Sometimes it feels like you have very little control over your life, resulting in releasing the reins completely. The good news is, regardless of the season you’re in, there are habits you can put in place to ensure your life doesn’t become so crazy that all balance ends up out the window.

Here are our top tips to help you thrive in both your work and personal life…

Start your day right

It’s tempting to turn on your phone and start reading messages or emails as soon as you wake up. But resisting the lure of your phone or computer allows you to start your day by prioritising you, setting the tone for how the rest of the day is going to go. A great way to start your day is by doing a bit of exercise; whether you prefer a walk, run or gym workout, it’ll help to clear your head for the day ahead. Exercise is hugely important for both your mental and physical health, so what better time to do it then when you first wake up.

Schedule you-time

Just like you put meetings in your calendar, pop some downtime just for you in there too. This ensures you always have time to catch your breath, clear your head and re-energise. A great way to use this time is to put your phone to one side, get some fresh air, and practice a little mindfulness.

Leave your phone at the door

Unplugging sounds cliche (not to mention impossible) but it’s a great way to remove yourself from the stresses of work and focus on being really present with yourself and those you’re in the company of. Use the opportunity to go for a walk and connect with nature, allowing your mind to be at peace. Or have friends round for a meal so you can connect with them in real life, instead of behind a screen. Learning to put down your phone is a vital discipline that will allow your relationships to deepen and your mind to recharge.

Set a digital curfew

If you’re someone who, as the last thing you do before falling asleep, checks your phone or laptop, listen up. You probably fall victim to the classic time-suck of allowing one quick email check to turn into 3 hours of useless internet scrolling. A good tip is to set a bedtime alarm on your phone, so you go to bed at a reasonable hour, and then turn your phone off completely, so you’re not tempted to pick it up as you lie in bed. It will also help you to sign off from the stresses of the day, leaving you to have a restful slumber.

Do what you love

Loving what you’re paid to do is the ultimate in career goals. If you find your work enjoyable instead of draining, you’re probably in the right place. This means your emotional tank will be constantly be recharged, instead of depleted. Ultimately, doing something that you love every day will help your life to feel more balanced, but remember it’s still important to put boundaries in place to make sure you prioritise other facets of your life too – i.e. sleep, relationships, exercise…

Set boundaries

Life often tries to pull us in multiple directions. Setting boundaries within your day is key to establishing a work-life balance. Scheduling time for family, exercise, meetings and other important things ensures that you don’t get overwhelmed by one area, minimising the risk of burnout. It also helps you to realise where most of your energy is being spent, allowing you to reassess if it seems your balance is a little off.  Make a list of all your priorities and put them in your calendar. And once they’re in there, stick to them.

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