Healthy Ways to Manage Stress and Improve Work-Life Balance
Are you struggling to find a work-life balance? Do you feel like you’re always stressed out and don’t have enough time for yourself? If so, you’re not alone. A lot of people are struggling with this issue. However, there are some things that you can do to manage stress and improve your work-life balance. 9 to 5 life and peace don’t go hand in hand for some people.
There’s a load on your shoulders, hectic commuting, and no time for yourself. On top of that, the stress is so much that every day you’d either wish to go to the mountains or just quit your job altogether. But neither of them is feasible for individuals who do not have the livelihood, or for those who do not want to give up just yet.
So the only option left in the scenario is to manage your stress in healthy ways and improve your work-life balance.
But how do you do that? Is it even possible? Why not! This article is going to brief you on all the know-how.
Healthy Ways to Manage Stress and Improve Work-Life Balance
Benefits Of Managing Stress In A Healthy Way
Keeping your personal life separate from your work life is no easy task. Work and personal duties can easily pile up and cause high stress levels, and even chronic stress. Although it might take some adjusting to achieve a work-life balance and to learn how to manage stress healthily, here are the benefits you will enjoy when you do:
- Better sleep, focus, mental strength, attention span, and productivity
- Improved relationships with friends, family, and coworkers
- Better work/home balance and improved problem-solving skills
- Less muscle tension and stress build up throughout the body
- Improved mood and outlook on life
- Lower blood pressure, better digestion, and improved immune system
10 healthy ways to manage stress and improve work-life balance
1. Exercise
This might be your least favorite option if you are a couch potato, yet it is one of the most effective ones.
Exercising releases happy hormones like Dopamine which keeps your mood in balance by drastically reducing stress and anxiety. This past year, my saving grace has been exercised. I wouldn’t have maintained my sanity with everything going on, and all the stresses of the world. If you are part of the Peloton family, make sure to find me on the leaderboard, #bettercauseLnF.
In addition to that, exercising can fill you with energy. Your focus will improve, and you will be able to do your work much faster, not to mention the quality of output will also improve. It is my “me time,” my personal time that everyone knows not to bug me. Sometimes that’s all I get in the hectic day of work and home life.
2. Take regular breaks from work
If you drag yourself to work for hours at a stretch then, stress would be inevitable for you. Thus create a balance, including regular breaks to catch up on life. This includes throughout the regular work day, and by taking advantage of your vacation days & PTO.
Even a 15-20 minute break after 2 hours of continuous work is enough is enough to clear that mental clutter. Catch up with colleagues, take a short walk, or play pool if your workplace is blessed with it. Do whatever that diminishes your stress. But don’t spend these minutes on your phone because apart from your mind, your eyes need rest too.
A good work-life balance helps to ensure you don’t burn out too quickly as well. When you have a poor work life balance, you can tire more easily, get stressed even more, and get angry at the people you care most about. Your mental health and your support system will both suffer.
The best tip for ensuring I work efficiently as well as taking a break is by using a timer. I set it for a specific time and then when the timer goes off I know it’s time to get up. My favorite way to take a break is to go outside to get some fresh air and some sun on my face.
3. Have your me-time
When was the last time you spent time with yourself? If it has been a while, then what are you waiting
for? Me-time is the best way when it comes to restoring your lost peace.
You might have your idea of me-time, be it reading a book or simply eating your favorite delicacy while watching Netflix. It could also be as simple as spending a few minutes in the bath by yourself or spending a little extra time meditating or being quiet before bed.
To start with it, you can use your weekends or when you come back home. As I said above, physical activity is my me-time, but I also meal prep foods and like to make chocolate molds and arts and crafts in the morning hours before anyone else is awake. It’s all about having a healthy lifestyle for me because balance is so important to keeping a healthy work-life balance.
4. Disconnect from technology
Nowadays, technology can be both a blessing and a curse. While it allows us to work remotely and stay connected with our colleagues, it can also make it challenging to create boundaries. It can feel like we need to be available and online 24/7, leading to feelings of burnout and exhaustion. Taking some time to unplug from technology, even if it’s just for a short while, can be an excellent strategy for reducing stress and improving your physical health. By disconnecting, you can better focus on the present moment and recharge for whatever lies ahead.
5. Be more social
We have friends and family who are our happy pills. When you feel that work stress would be the death of you, dial them up or go to meet them. You would feel much better. It also goes the other way – if you have people who are bringing you down, make sure to consider this when you look at how much time you spend with them. If they don’t bring you happiness but only stress, it’s really not helping you.
If work keeps you bonded, then you can talk to them on the phone during your break times. Keeping in touch with them would help you create a firm balance between work and life, so make sure you don’t skip this. If you are meeting people in person, be sure to be present. Don’t check your emails when they are speaking or when you are out with friends and family. Quality time is more important than just going through the motions. Manage your time efficiently so you can enjoy the time between work and family.
6. Connect with loved ones
When working remotely or spending long hours a week at work, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and even isolated. Connecting with loved ones can be a great way to reduce stress and improve your mental health. Taking time to interact with your family, friends, or significant other can help you feel grounded and supported. This connection can also help you achieve a healthy work-life balance by reminding you of the importance of stepping away from work and prioritizing relationships.
7. Manage your workload
When there’s a heavy workload, one is bound to get stressed. So the key to managing your stress is to manage your workload. You can do so by making every day count. What I mean is, start today instead of just getting started when your deadlines are at an arm’s length.
In other words, set daily targets. Make a list of the tasks, divide them by the number of days you got, and what you would have your daily targets. In this regard, prioritizing can help too. Start with the most demanding tasks first, and go all the way down to the less demanding ones. Your time and energy are some of the only things you have that aren’t renewable (energy is but it takes time to get there) so be mindful of things you say “YES” to doing, especially if they may not bring you happiness.
8. Learn to say no
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s crucial to identify what’s causing these feelings and determine what elements of your job are draining you. You may find that you’re taking on too much and spreading yourself too thin. Learning to say no can help you prioritize your workload and manage your stress. It can be challenging to turn down opportunities or delegate tasks, but it’s necessary to achieve a healthy work-life balance. Saying no allows you to focus on the most critical areas of your life and avoid burnout.
9. Take up your hobbies
Did you have some hobbies that you were forced to abandon due to work? If yes, then please
consider getting started with them again.
Your hobbies are your #1 stress busters. They bring you peace and solace and make you feel that you have a life other than work. You need that the most right now. If you are thinking you don’t have time, or they are a waste of time, start small. If you start with small increments each day, you can gradually increase as you make more time and notice how your stress falls away.
10. Set boundaries
Your colleagues and boss will keep on piling files at your desk if you don’t speak your mind. Tell them that you cannot take up more work because you have tons of it already. While you are at it, be more polite. If your employer and colleagues are understanding enough they will understand.
It’s also important to have the boundaries at home. You don’t want to have all of the boundaries at work and then come home and be expected to do all of the work and take care of the kids. Be upfront and honest with your spouse and your kids and let them know you need space and where you can and can’t do things.
I hope these ways help you manage the stress and achieve a healthy work-life balance. Let us know how these tips work for you in our comment section.
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