Does it sometimes seem as though you never get to really turn off from work?
While the boom in the use of technology in the workplace, and working from home, has enabled many people to enjoy more flexibility, it can also cause problems.
When you have your work emails and office messages pinging from your phone, and are expected to take video meetings from your kitchen table, it can feel as though there’s no delineation between work and home.
Here are five ways to improve your work-life balance.
Set expectations
One of the best ways to stop work encroaching on personal time is to manage other people’s expectations. This could be a note on your email signature with your work hours, or letting your boss and team know that you’re only able to answer messages until a certain time unless it’s really an emergency.
Maybe you have an auto-response on your emails when you’ve signed off for the day, explaining when you’ll be back. Leah Lambert, a career consultant quoted by Seek, suggests letting your employer know which personal activities are non-negotiable – if being available for your kids at bedtime is vital to you, you can communicate that.
Rule a line between work and home
It can be useful to have a clear boundary between where work finishes and your home life begins. This is a little easier if you work in an office but even at home you may be able to carve out a space that is specifically for work.
When you leave there, try to mentally turn off. It might be that you have a ritual to make the end of the work day – making a cup of tea, for example, or doing a yoga class. Set work hours and stick to them, as Trade Me suggests here. If your work uses an internal messaging system like Slack, you can snooze your notifications when you’re off the clock.
Don’t be afraid to say no
It can be easy to fall into a trap of saying yes to everything. You want to help, and you want to be seen to be playing your part – but it’s easy to become overwhelmed.
If you know you put other people’s needs before your own, or you’re doing more than your fair share anyway, be a little more selective in what you offer to take on. Lambert recommends letting your boss know if your workload is unsustainable.
Focus on a hobby
If you have spare time and aren’t sure what to do with it, it can be easy to find yourself drifting into checking in on work. Focus on a hobby so that you have something to devote yourself to that isn’t work, but brings you joy.
Setting aside the time in your calendar for this will break up your week, and improve your overall sense of wellbeing, as Trade Me notes. In the same vein, blocking out time for your family and friends can also make a big difference and help you retain some perspective.
Eat, sleep, move
Eating well, sleeping enough and getting some exercise can all help to fight the feeling overwhelm that can take over when work is getting a bit much. All three should help you have enough energy to feel that work is that bit more manageable.
Disclaimer: Please note that the content provided in this article is intended as an overview and as general information only. While care is taken to ensure accuracy and reliability, the information provided is subject to continuous change and may not reflect current developments or address your situation. Before making any decisions based on the information provided in this article, please use your discretion and seek independent guidance.
