Being forced to blend our work life with home life during such trying times (ahem, COVID-19), has not only been difficult to adjust to, but it has placed immense stress on daily life. Personally, I have found myself unintentionally morphing the two together, which has impacted both my emotional and physical health, and I know that this has been the case for many others. Finding that balance or separation between work, and home can not only improve your productivity, but it can lower your stress and risk of experiencing burnout. Here are FBI STYLE’S favorite tips for achieving that elusive work-life balance:
- Put Yourself First
With all the other responsibilities that we have in our lives, we sometimes lose sight of making time to prioritize ourselves. It’s okay to withdraw from your work. It’s okay to be “unproductive” every once in a while. Set aside time out of your day that is dedicated to just you. Whether it is doing a face mask, or indulging in a nap, “you time” is perfectly okay and is extremely beneficial to your personal wellbeing.
- Be Realistic
When prioritizing and setting your goals, it is important to remember to be realistic! Take some time to self analyze, and determine what can be accomplished–reasonably. Doing this successfully will take a load of pressure off of your shoulders and create less stress in the long run.
- Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries for when you do your work is crucial for maintaining a balance, especially when it comes to working from home… Create a schedule that you can follow, and block out time for work. For example, if you typically wake up at 9 A.M, work from 10 A.M – 4 P.M (or whatever time works best for you). Communicate this boundary to your coworkers and supervisor, and let them know that you will not be responding or checking work-related emails after your set time.
- Schedule Your Goals
Schedule! Schedule! Schedule! Write out a list of priorities into a personal planner and set specific goals that have a time frame. Check them off your list as you complete them!
- Ask For Support
Know that it is okay to reach out and ask for help. If you are feeling overwhelmed, or feel as though you cannot take on your workload all on your own, vocalize it! Your boss and supervisors are human too, and they will be open to finding a solution that satisfies both parties if you explain your situation.
Always remember that nobody’s work-life balance is perfect and, in fact, it is rare to attain complete perfection in this area of your life. This process is something that requires some serious self-discipline and needs to be consistently worked on every single day. You’re reading this because you have evaluated your situation and realized that something has to change and that in of itself is a big step in the right direction. Following these five steps isn’t the complete cure, but it will definitely kick start you into getting your life back on track.
