How To Achieve Work-Life Balance

By Kristen Sohlman, HBA, RP

In life, we have many different roles and responsibilities related to work, physical health, a career, family, friends, and time.  It is no wonder that sometimes we find ourselves feeling stressed or overwhelmed.  It is important to remember that small amounts of stress are healthy and necessary as they help us to be motivated, efficient, helps with good mental focus, and helps us to feel more content and happy within our lives.  Whereas having too much stress for a long time results in feeling stressed out, overwhelmed, overloaded, burnt out, and exhausted.

​Work-life balance does not mean that we are making our priorities between work and other aspects of our lives equal, and instead, that we are meeting our own individual needs in order to perform optimally at work, as well as in the other aspects of our lives.  

Steps to Achieve Work-Life Balance
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1. Find what works for you. Everyone is different, and therefore, everyone’s needs are different.  Our needs can change over time.
2. Set priorities.  Learn what replenishes your batteries, versus what drains them, and make this your priority.  Identify what is important to you, what you value, and makes this your priority.
3. Set realistic goals for yourself.  Break down your goals into small and more achievable steps, break down your day using a time log, and track your progress. 
4. Let go of perfectionism.  Work and life cannot be perfectly balanced and is up to you to let go of this unhealthy expectation in order that you can do the best that you can for what is required in the present moment.  Learn to delegate tasks.  Learn to let go.
5. Take breaks. You will actually be more productive if you take breaks and will be a better employee for it!  Try something different like going for a walk, socializing, reading a book, meditating, stretching, or whatever makes you feel good.  Enjoy some quiet time. 
6. Try to leave your work at work.  Help yourself to transition from work to home by taking a walk, listening to music, or something else that you enjoy.  Don’t check your work emails or answer work-related phone calls when not at work (unless you are on-call!).  This is your time and it is important!  Give yourself value outside the role of being a boss, a manager, or an employee.
7. Take care of yourself.  Engage in self-care.  Don’t skip exercise, meals or sleep.
8. Set healthy boundaries.  Don’t overbook yourself, learn to say no, respect yourself, know what you value, know what you want and need, understanding your feelings and communicate them clearly, know your limits, and ask for help when needed. 
9. Have fun!  Cultivate your interests outside of work.  Enjoy recreational activities and hobbies. Get out there and volunteer.
10. Develop a support network.  Consider who you trust, who will listen when needed, and include both personal and professional supports. 
11. Ask yourself: whether you have time in your life to set aside in order to focus on other aspects of your life in order to create a better balance for your life?  If the answer is no, then something needs to change!

References:
Canadian Mental Health Association. (2018). Work Life Balance. CMHA. [Website] Retrieved from https://cmha.ca/mental-health/finding-help/emotional-wellness