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Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is always important, but it takes on added importance during times of high inflation, falling stock prices and economic uncertainty. During these times, you might feel extra pressure to excel at work and protect your income.
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It’s a good time to take a step back and consider whether you’re spending too much time at work at the expense of your personal life. If so, there are a few simple steps you can take to restore your work-life balance. Here are five of them.
1. Set limits
It’s the key to making sure you’re spending enough time on the relationships and activities you enjoy. According to the Mayo Clinic, a good place to start is managing your schedule to make sure you have enough time to get everything done. Don’t overload yourself and learn to say no when someone asks for time you don’t have.
2. Detach yourself from work
Let’s face it, work is no longer something we leave at the office when the working day is over. With technology at your fingertips, it’s easy to log into your business account from home. However, it’s important to resist the temptation, as spending too much free time checking work can lead to chronic stress. The Mayo Clinic suggests asking your manager for guidance on expectations for when you can sign off. If you’re working from home, dress for work and create a quiet, dedicated workspace. When the workday is over, transition into family life by changing clothes, going for a walk, or spending time with your family.
3. Take a vacation
It’s a surefire way to cut your ties to work – go somewhere else and leave your laptop at home. Even if it’s only a one-day vacation instead of a two-week trip to Hawaii, it’s important to take a complete break from the world of work to recharge mentally and physically. Be sure to use all of your allocated vacation days to develop a better work-life balance.
4. Structure your working day properly
One of the simplest things you can do to achieve a better work-life balance is to maximize your efficiency at work. This can help ensure that you don’t have a lot of work to do after you get home when the workday is over. Business Insider recommends setting achievable goals by implementing time management strategies, analyzing your to-do list, and cutting out tasks that have little or no value. Think about when you are most productive at work, then reserve that free time for your most important work activities. Don’t spend a lot of time checking your emails and phone, as these are major time wasters.
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5. Discover new ways to relax
This could involve everything from practicing yoga or meditation to taking up a hobby likee gardening, knitting or painting. As the Mayo Clinic notes, hobbies can help you relax, distract from work, and rejuvenate. An even better option is to find hobbies or activities that you can do with your partner, family, or friends, such as hiking, dancing, biking, or taking cooking classes.
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