Work-Life Balance

More than ever before, we play many different roles in our lives. We are workers, colleagues, parents, spouses, friends, caregivers, and volunteers. With the fast pace of today’s society, we must ensure to make room in our lives for taking care of our own mental well-being.

Achieving balance among all of these competing priorities can be quite difficult. Achieving work/life balance means having equilibrium among all of the priorities in your life. In our rush to get it all done both at work and at home, it is easy to forget that as our stress levels increase, our productivity decreases. Stress can zap our energy levels and our concentration, make us irritable or depressed, and even have a negative effect on our personal and professional relationships. Moreover, stress weakens our immune systems; making us susceptible to a variety of ailments. Achieving balance in your life is one way that you can help manage stress and ensure that you are performing at your best.

​How can you achieve balance in your life?

Set manageable goals: Try to be realistic about workloads and deadlines. Being able to meet deadlines and complete tasks provides us with a sense of accomplishment and control. Try making a to-do list and tackle those tasks one at a time.

Take a break: Small breaks can help clear your head, improve your ability to manage stress, and help you with making clear decisions.

Be kind to yourself: Engage in regular exercise, eat right, and get rest! Taking care of yourself reduces stress and enables you to better cope with adversity.

Accept help: Confiding in family members and friends can enhance your overall well-being and, thus, can improve your overall mental health.

​Seek extra support: We all need extra support and encouragement. Do not let stress stand in the way of your health and happiness. A mental health professional can help you get back on track with achieving balance in your life.
 
Take an important step towards protecting your mental health by ensuring all aspects of your life are in balance! Click the link below from the Canadian Mental Health Association to find out if you are work/life balanced:
http://www.cmha.ca/mental_health/work-life-balance-quiz/#.WXdmlYjyuUk
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