Achieving Work Life Balance: Taking Time Out and Time Off

-
This article is the first of two in the Achieving Work - Life Balance series. As noted in the title, the initial focus will address ways to enhance our personal lives outside of work.  The second article, next month, will address ways to achieve more balance on the work end of our lives.

Work - Life Balance refers to our ability to curtail the amount of work we do and address our other needs in ways that create balance and well being. Specifically, making time for ourselves and our relationships.  By employing work - life balance, we are able to effectively reduce and manage our stress.  This works for us both physically and emotionally.  It also helps us get restore and recharge, so that we can function more efficiently in our work lives. This helps us prevent burn out. By reducing stress and experiencing balance in our lives, we are more likely to experience greater happiness and life satisfaction. Therefore, it is important to take time out by engaging in down time during our regular work week or taking time off from work, ranging from short breaks to lengthy vacations.

 Time Out or Down Time
  • Taking a lunch break during the workday (to eat, go for a walk, read, power nap, etc.)
  • Leaving work at a reasonable time
  • Making time for creative activities
  • Making time to nurture close relationships and socialize
  • Making time to rest and relax
  • Making time for fun and hobbies 
  • Making time to exercise
  • Making time to engage in nutritious eating
  • Making time to get quality sleep


Time Off
  • Taking a "mental health day" to relax
  • Taking a vacation and getting away
  • Taking a "staycation", vacation locally and experiencing a change in routine
  • Utilizing weekends and scheduled time off to relax and unwind

 
It all begins with our attitude.  A healthy perspective toward work consists of seeing work as a part of our lives instead of consuming our lives or defining who we are. This enables us to value the need to make time for ourselves and others, to the best of our ability.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Taking Care of Me in 2023: Healthy Self-Love

-
  Elements and the Practice of  Healthy Self-Love As February comes to a close, let's reflect on the major theme, represented by Valentine's Day, that of love . Healthy love is a powerful force.  It provides us with motivation, joy, purpose, and energy.  It is important to remember that healthy love starts with our ability to love ourselves.     Healthy Self-Love Self-Acceptance and Being Authentic Like who you are Focus on and reinforce your strengths and positive qualities Embrace your individuality Self-Compassion Treat yourself well Forgive yourself for past mistakes Accept positive treatment from others Self-Esteem Recognize your value and honor it Honor the priority of your needs Assert your needs and wants Self-Awareness Be in touch with and in control of your emotions Set reasonable and Healthy Boundaries  Practice mindfulness  Positivity Recognize and celebrate your accomplishments Adopt an optimistic mindset Seek to enjoy life Pract...
Read more

Welcome 2023 With Gratitude from 2022

-
  THE BENEFIT OF GRATITUDE  Being Grateful for 2022 Helps Usher in 2023 As 2022 comes to a close, it it helpful to reflect on how we were successful in getting through the year. It is important to note that using a positive lens through which to evaluate what has transpired and where we have landed does not require us to ignore the painful or challenging experiences.  It is healthy to acknowledge problems and negative situations.  However, it is unhealthy to give those events and situations all of the power.  That is what happens when we narrow our lens and focus only or primarily on the pain of hurtful events. A healthy attitude enables us to desire to be whole, feel well and move on. Psychological researchers have found that the practice of gratitude is helpful in switching our perspective from one of problem to solution and building the resilience to overcome the negative impact of hurtful events.  Specifically, the attitude of gratitude is the ability t...
Read more

Taking Care of Me in 2023: Healthy and Intentional Self-Care

-
  "Taking Care of Me in 2023" An Overview of the S.P.I.E.S. Self-Care Model Self-Care is the healthy exercise of your responsibility and your right to aim for wellbeing.  It starts with our attitude.  That which we can Conceive, Believe and Achieve contributes toward our feeling and being well.  This is a conscious and intentional practice. My mindfulness approach: Acknowledge; Assess and Address enables you to work through and manage your emotions.  This intentional process enables you to feel in control and resolve distress.  Practicing deliberate self-care in a comprehensive manner promotes total wellness.  My model, S.P.I.E.S. provides a framework that can be applied to guide you through self-care assessment and practices across five dimensions:  Spiritual: Your sense of purpose, mission, values, and meaning that guide you and promote fulfillment Physical: Your health, physical characteristics, physical abilities and talents; Intellectual: You...
Read more