Have you found a good work and life balance?
I am constantly in awe of my friends and family and the ways they manage their busy lives with work and children. While most of them seem genuinely overwhelmed (especially the ones with younger children) they always seem to maintain their cool and muster up the energy to do what life needs them to. All of this started me thinking about the work-life balance. The Mayo Clinic offers these helpful tips for striking the right balance.
* Keep a log. Track everything you do for one week;
* Take advantage of your options. Can you work flex hours, a compressed work week or telecommute? Find out.
* Manage your time. Organize household tasks efficiently.
* Rethink your cleaning standards. Do what needs to be done and let the rest go.
* Communicate clearly. Limit time-consuming misunderstandings;
* Fight the guilt. Remember, having a family and a job is okay — for both men and women.
* Nurture yourself. Set aside time each day for an activity that you enjoy, such as walking, working out or listening to music. Unwind after a hectic workday by reading, practicing yoga or taking a bath or shower.
* Set aside one night each week for recreation. Making time for activities you enjoy will rejuvenate you.
* Protect your day off. Try to schedule some of your routine chores on workdays so that your days off are more relaxing.
* Get enough sleep. There's nothing as stressful and potentially dangerous as working when you're sleep-deprived. Not only is your productivity affected, but you can also make costly mistakes. You may then have to work even more hours to make up for these mistakes.
* Bolster your support system. Give yourself the gift of a trusted friend or co-worker to talk with during times of stress or hardship.
* Seek professional help. Everyone needs help from time to time.