With so many of us juggling heavy workloads, relationships, family responsibilities, and our own outside interests, it's no surprise that more than one in four Americans describe themselves as “super stressed.” That’s not balanced—or healthy which is why finding a work-life balance is so important.
How stress can impact your life
In your rush to “get it all done” at the office and at home, it’s easy to forget that as your stress levels spike, your productivity plummets. Stress can zap your concentration, make you irritable or depressed, and harm your personal and professional relationships. Over time, stress can also weaken your immune system and make you susceptible to a variety of ailments, from colds and backaches to heart disease.
The key to managing stress
While we all need a certain amount of stress to spur us on and help us perform at our best, the key to managing stress lies in one magic word: balance. Having a healthy work-life balance is possible, and it can benefit workers and businesses alike. When workers are balanced and happy, they are more productive, take fewer sick days, and are more likely to stay in their jobs.
How to create work-life balance at work
- Set manageable goals each day.
- Be efficient with your time at work.
- Ask for flexibility through flextime.
- Take five-minute mental health breaks throughout the day.
- Tune in to relaxing music.
- Communicate effectively through efficient channels.
- Cut down on useless meetings.
- Give yourself a break when you make a mistake. They happen!
How to create work-life balance at home
- Unplug. Get outside.
- Divide and conquer. Share your responsibilities.
- Don't overextend yourself. Learn to say no.
- Get support from friends and family who know your life and its stressors.
- Take advantage of your company’s employee assistance program (EAP).
- Stay active. Work out your stress through safe physical activity.
- Treat your body right. Eat right, exercise, and get enough rest.
- Get help if you need it. If you feel like you’re always overwhelmed, it may be time to seek help from a mental health professional.
Life Solutions offers access to Work-Life consultants who can work with you on exactly what you need. They are accessible by telephone or email, and they can conduct consultations, provide research, and offer referrals for child and elder care, adoption services, education resources, legal concerns, financial matters, and daily living needs such as home repairs and pet care. The Work-Life website features monthly webinars, a savings center, financial and daily living calculators, health tools, skill builders, a resiliency tool and app, and more. Yes. It’s called “eustress.” It’s defined as “a positive form of stress having a beneficial effect on health, motivation, performance, and emotional well-being.”