At the end of the work day, many people find it hard to resist the siren call of the overflowing email inbox, the iphone notifications, and the unfinished checklist. The task of quitting work for the day has become increasingly difficult as the work from home trend has blurred the line between professional life and personal life. However, failing to set boundaries between your work life and your personal life can result in “burn-out.” Being burnt-out means that you have entered a state of mental and/or physical fatigue to the point where you can no longer function at a high level. In this state, you are actually less productive, less efficient, and less satisfied. Thus, taking some time to yourself can be a short-term investment that will pay off in the long run. Here are some tips to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.
There is a great quote by David Allen that says, “you can do anything, but not everything.” In other words, you are capable of accomplishing anything, but to try to accomplish everything in one day, month, or year is unrealistic. Thus, make a list and prioritize your tasks in order of most important to least important. Then, make your way down the list one-by-one.
This task is easier said than done, but it can make a huge difference in your productivity. Spend some time asking yourself questions like, “am I more efficient in the morning or at night,” “am I the most motivated at the beginning of the week or the end of the week,” “do I work best independently or collaboratively,” etc. Once you have identified your strengths, weaknesses, and preferences, you can begin to factor them into your work habits.
We have all heard the phrase “work smarter, not harder.” When you have the right tools for the job, you can maximize your time while minimizing your efforts. For example, having ergonomic products in your home office will allow you to work more comfortably for longer durations of time. This means that you can get more work done without straining your body. To check out our top picks for office products, read our blog on home office essentials.
If possible, booking a vacation in advance is beneficial for numerous reasons. Firstly, scheduling a trip ensures that you have allocated a certain time period specifically to rest and relaxation. Secondly, scheduling a trip will give you something to look forward to and work towards. This can help you be more productive during the days you have allotted to work.
People often view exercise as something they should do if they have time, when in reality, exercise is something people should be making time to do. Not only is exercise good for fat loss, stress levels, and cardiac health, but it can actually help your mind as well as your body. Having a clear mind will help you accomplish tasks more quickly.
These are just a few of the many ways to maintain a healthy work-life balance and protect your overall wellbeing.
Also read: Combat the Isolation of Remote Work
