By Mandy Volpe
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Work-life-balance can seem like a mystical, sometimes impossible, concept. But there are ways to find passion in both your day job and your life outside the office. Here are five simple steps you can take to find more equilibrium.
GO TO LUNCH. Whether it’s just 30 minutes or an hour, step away from your computer and phones every day to recharge. That doesn’t mean grabbing lunch and eating it back at your desk, either. Take your meal outside to a picnic table or one of your favorite green areas, or plan to meet a friend at a restaurant. Whatever your lunch break looks like, make sure it is away from your desk so you can feel refreshed for the rest of the afternoon.DISCOVER YOUR WORK PASSIONS. Everyone has tedious responsibilities in their job, the kinds of tasks that
are saved until the last minute because they seem boring or like mountains to conquer. Break down the work into three smaller steps so you can make movement, cross the item off your list and get to the things in your job that you are truly passionate about every day. Think about what it is in your job that makes you happy to accomplish and talk with your colleagues and boss to see if there are ways you can increase those responsibilities.
FIND A HOBBY. Maybe you love to cook, or you’re interested in joining a book club or you want to try a new class at the gym. Go for it! Find activities that interest you outside of work and enjoy them with your family or look forward to making new friends. Filling your downtime with fun and investing in relationships outside of work is essential to having a happy work-life-balance.
Filling your downtime with fun and investing in relationships outside of work is essential to having a happy work-life-balance.
GET ACTIVE. Even something as simple as taking a walk on your lunch break or getting in a run after dinner can have great benefits. Studies have shown that just 20 minutes a day can get the creative juices flowing and make you feel refreshed.
PURGE SOCIAL MEDIA. Get ready to detox. When you’re away from the office for the weekend or a vacation, make it a habit to store away your smartphone. Instead, focus on the real people and real conversations around you. At night, try adhering to no social media after dinnertime.
These little things can make a huge impact in how you feel about yourself and your workload. Think of it as an investment in your future self and your ability to avoid a mental breakdown from stress.
