How to Find the Right Work-Life Balance in a Busy World
How is your work-life balance? Many full-time workers say they strongly believe they do not
have a good balance between work and life. So if you are feeling the weight of work and longing
for more self-care time, you aren’t alone.
People work more hours to make ends meet than ever before. Then calendars fill with family
and social obligations in what little time they have away from their desks. So how can anyone
find work-life balance in a busy world?
The key is making the most out of the time that you have. Here are three ways you can achieve
a better balance in your busy schedule.
Increase Exercise to Reduce Stress
Increasing how much exercise you get can help you feel like you have a better work-life balance
without actually reducing your hours away from work. That’s because exercise can help to
reduce your stress levels. It’s an outlet for negative energy and releases endorphins into your
body, which boost your mood.
You may not have time for the gym, but there are some simple ways to increase your amount of
exercise throughout your day. Try parking farther from your work entrance or commit to taking
the stairs instead of the elevator. Even planning a walk after dinner is a great way to get in more
exercise. Consider inviting the family along and make it a group activity.
When your schedule is full, it’s easy to lose track of how much exercise you’re really getting. To
keep tabs on your physical activity, consider buying a fitness tracker or smartwatch. These
devices can track steps, monitor your heart rate, and track your sleep, which gives you insight
into how much rest you are getting (and how to improve).
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is another great way to get more out of your off-work hours. Psychology Today
explains mindfulness is an important tool for self-introspection, encouraging better emotional
awareness and coping skills.
There are a lot of different ways to practice mindfulness. Meditation apps are a great place to
start. Many of them are free and will guide you through a meditation session in the time you
have, whether that’s five minutes or a full hour.
If sitting still and focusing doesn’t sound like an appealing option, look for other mindfulness-
oriented apps. Adult coloring apps, for instance, are great for mindfulness. They allow you to
focus on the task and stay in the present without worrying about the past or future.
If you’re going to be meditating at home, realize that a cluttered, dimly lit space is more likely to
make you anxious and less focused. For a more optimal meditation experience, remove unused
items from your home and let in fresh air and natural light.
Build Up Your Reading Time With an eReader
Spending time reading can help reduce stress. What you read could end up benefiting you in
other ways, too. Fiction can be an escape from the real world, giving you an opportunity to get
away from it all without actually going anywhere. Self-help books, on the other hand, can lead to
improvements both on-the-job and at home, too.
If you want to boost your reading time, consider picking up an eReader. Those who use an
eReader read on average 24 books per year, compared to 15 books per year for those who
prefer the paper version. Amazon’s range of Kindle eReaders offers many affordable options,
depending on your needs. You can also download the free Kindle app to your tablet and
smartphone and buy Kindle books through there.
Sometimes getting more time away from work isn’t a possibility, but making the most of the time
that you do have can be the answer to achieving that all-important work-life balance. Doing
things like exercising, practicing mindfulness, and reading will make the most out of your time
away from your desk. Put the technology you have around you to work at making the most of
every moment.
By Julie Morris
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