De-Clutter the Stress & Maintain a Work Life Balance

With people forced to get locked in their homes, working from home is another scenario for many of us to face. Even before working from home, many challenges in the workplace made the life of professionals more stressful [1]. Currently, work-life balance seems to be an impossible feat. Technology has made workers accessible 24×7.

Fears of job loss are another reason for longer working hours. A whopping 94% of working professionals said they work more than 50 hours/week, and nearly 50% worked more than 65 hours/week. Experts say that the compounding stress from the never-ending workday is damaging [2]. This can result in bitter relationships, health, and overall happiness and be a source of toxicity.

Work-life balance is different for every individual, but here are some tips for finding the balance that’s appropriate for you:

Let go-off perfectionism.

Many people develop the tendency to be a perfectionist at a young age. This happens when demands are limited to school, hobbies and sometimes an after-school job. It’s easier to fit into the role of a perfectionist at a young age, but as grown-ups, life becomes complicated for individuals. Perfectionism takes a back seat and becomes out of reach later in life. This unchecked habit might be disastrous. To avoid burnout, one must let go of perfectionism. With the expansion of areas in life, perfectionism as a habit can be difficult, both psychologically and neurologically [3,4,5]. Thus, strive for excellence, not for perfection!

Unplug

Technology has changed our lives in different ways; it has all become easier, whether telecommuting or programs that help at work. But all this has created an expectation of accessibility on the go. The work never seems to end. There is no time for professionals to shut their phones off and enjoy their life. Such notifications interrupt the off time and lead to an undercurrent of stress in your system. This is why health experts suggest never to think of texting when around kids and don’t send emails when hanging out with family. If you stop reacting to any updates from work when in your personal space, you will likely develop a stronger habit of resilience. People adapting to resilience have a greater sense of control over their lives [6,7].

Exercise and meditate

Even if we’re busy, we prioritize some things or activities in our life. We eat, use the loo, and sleep. But one of the most crucial bodily needs, i.e., exercise, is often the last thing on our list. Studies [8,9] claim that exercise is an effective stress reliever. It pumps up your feel-good hormones and endorphins across the body. Apart from lifting your mood, exercise serves as a punch to set you into a meditative state.

It is thus suggested to dedicate at least some time to self-care, be it yoga, exercise, or meditation. If you are someone with a pressed schedule, start with deep breathing, an exercise that can be done even during a commute. When balancing work and personal space, do not be harsh on yourself. The motive is to practice self-care for your body, mind and soul. [10, 11]

Avoid time-wasting activities and Toxicity.

Identify your priorities in life. This differs for everyone, so make sure you make the least crucially. Make sure you draw firm boundaries and devote quality time to these activities and people. It will be easier for you to determine what needs to be included and what should be shredded from your schedule. For instance, social media may lead you into a spiral around time-wasting activities. Thus, limit your activity and turn off excess notifications. Similarly, many of us may find ourselves in less constructive activities or around some toxic people. You need to limit these interactions diplomatically. Politely learn to excuse yourself and do not waste time. Focus on people and activities that add value. Remember, the better you are to yourself, the better everyone and everything is around you. [12,13]

Re-structure your perspective of life

At times, we fall into the game of assumption and restrict ourselves. Let your mind read a bird’s-eye view perspective of things and make some positive changes. Changing certain habits and lifestyles can help in multiple ways. [14,15] If you look to reduce stress, this structural change can help you accomplish this goal. Start with focusing on activities you may specialize in and value the most. Delegate every other task, if necessary. After all, constant growth is the secret of life!

Ending Note:

When focusing on work-life balance, do not get into doing everything together! This might all lead to eventual failure. Work your way up to smaller goals, maybe per week and then move ahead. Habits are built over time and not adapted in a day. The modern lifestyle and the fast-paced life take a toll on our health and well-being. Find here your guide to the yogic lifestyle and how it can help you live a better and healthy life. Lifestyle modifications have shown a positive response in even breast cancer patients. Thus, we will see results if we pay attention to health and wellness and make it an integral part of life!

Lastly, make sure that you keep yourself a priority because you are the root of the system around you. Thus, you must stay in utmost balance and be happy and healthy!

References and Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6843930/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5800258/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4970818/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4562912/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34362859/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6110926/
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7037206/
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22933142/
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4013452/
10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2790668/
11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33407370/
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4928741/
13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1361287/
14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6378489/
15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7730675/