One of the most important things people look for when choosing a career is the ability to maintain a healthy work/life balance.
This has become trickier to navigate now that many of us are working from home. The two worlds collided last March, and it has been a challenge to untangle them.
Plus, now that we’re all hopelessly devoted to handheld devices, finding time to spend with our families is more important than ever.
Here are just five ways that you can invest more time into the life portion of your work/life balance.
Back To School
The pull of continuing one’s education can be strong. It opens doors that might otherwise be closed, and nurtures an inquisitive mind.
However, returning to university in later life doesn’t suit all lifestyles. The strict class schedules often conflict with work and family responsibilities.
If this is the case, you might be better suited to a distance learning institution such as Anglia Ruskin University, which allows for greater flexibility and lets you study wherever and whenever suits you, whether to further your current career or pursue an entirely new dream.
Meal Plan
Make a plan at the start of the week with a handy app such as Paprika that helps you keep on top of the cooking.
Planning all your meals in advance will also save any unnecessary runs to the supermarket which really cut into your personal time – and you’ll be less tempted to make a detour down that chocolate aisle!
Enlist the Kids
No, not in the army. Although that would get them out from under your feet…
Enlist the kids to help you with chores around the house. There’s no reason that you should have to do everything by yourself!
Even something as simple as folding laundry – though there’s no promise that it will be neat – will help you bond with your little ones.
Older children can be given tasks like washing up after dinner, teaching them responsibility at an early age and crossing one more job off your already packed to-do list!
Stick to Your Set Work Hours
This is a big one, and it’s certainly more difficult now that the office and dining room/living room/bed (we’re not judging) are the same!
But when you leave the office, or ‘office’, you need to really switch off.
That means no more responding to work emails out-of-hours – you know who you are!
Learn How to Manage Your Stress
Stress management is different for everyone.
For some, breathing exercises are the way to go. For others, yoga and meditation are the secrets to a happy life.
And then there are those who just need to scream into the void. As effective as this might be, if you’re working from home you run the risk of your neighbours calling out the emergency services – or at least giving you a funny look next time you take the bins out.
Find which method works for you and take some time at the end of each workday to let go of your stress
Share how you maintain the work/life balance in the comments below!
