How Do You Balance Your Time?
Finding the right work-life balance is a difficult challenge to solve. The best approach is to create a schedule that includes time for work, relaxation, hobbies, family and friends and cuts out activities that waste time and drain energy.
Adjust this schedule as you move forward and learn what is working and what isn’t. They key is to keep making a schedule that works for you. Don’t expect it to work perfectly right out of the gate.
Creating Work-Life Balance
Here are some of the key issues to consider when building a work-life schedule that can reduce stress and make your life more enjoyable.
Schedule Activities
When looking at the week ahead, make sure to build in time for family, friends, and hobbies. It’s important, especially for caregivers, to have something to look forward to that is outside the home and involves having fun and relaxing. A little of that can go a long way. And having something to look forward to keeps you on schedule.
Schedule Work
Most people think about time management in terms of people working at a job. But it also works well for those who work as caregivers to loved ones. It’s important to sit down and determine how much time is needed for the tasks of the day, and how you can most effectively accomplish them. Every half hour saved here and there is a half hour you free up for taking a break.
As part of this, remember that there are now services that can make your life much easier. For example, online companies will deliver food from grocery stores and restaurants right to your door.
Scheduling Downtime
Within each workday, it’s important to schedule downtime. Even the most dedicated worker runs out of steam after a few hours. It’s best to schedule breaks where you read a book, take a walk or soak in a warm bath. Studies have shown that just taking 15 to 30 minutes here and there to do these things can make a big difference in your energy level and mental health.
Schedule Exercise
Speaking of energy levels, one sure way to boost them is to start getting more exercise each day. Again, this doesn’t mean you have to start running three miles every day starting next Monday. Instead, slowly build up the amount of exercise you do each week. Taking a nice walk is one of the most popular choices – it just takes a good pair of shoes and a sidewalk. If you can conveniently walk in nature, such as in a park, that’s even better.
Cut Energy Wasters
This might prove the most difficult part of all. Every day, we all spend energy on something that is wasting time. Two common examples are spending time on social media or other websites that contribute nothing to our day or spending time talking with people who always complain, gossip, or both. The idea with finding balance is to spend more time on activities that make you feel better, not ones that make you feel drained and tired.
These are some ideas to keep in mind when making your schedule. It’s the most important step to finding work-life balance. Putting in the time to make small changes in your daily life can lead to a completely different outlook – and a much happier and positive life.