Finding work-life balance need not weigh you down

Featured 14th Jan-2022

Finding work-life balance need not weigh you down

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We are living 9-to-5-to-9 lives. Connected technology means you carry your work home, to the kitchen, to the bed, and to the party too! Every ‘me-time’ is interrupted by the ping of a new Email or the tone of a new alert. In our search for work-life balance, we are plunging into the bottomless, work-is-life abyss.

Though it might seem to elevate your chances of climbing up the corporate ladder, this conundrum is making us descend the levels of mental peace. The Mental Health Day just passed us by, and all we could think of was what to reply to the latest company Email.

This fast-disappearing notion of a life beyond work is affecting us, and everyone around us. Where’s our social life? Where're our relationships heading? Where is happiness?

For answers, all you need to do is take a deep breath. Pause and think. Is it all really worth it? And more importantly, is there a way to find a middle-ground, where you are successful at work, without sacrificing what really matters?

Here are a few things you can do to achieve that elusive work-life balance and boosting your overall mental well-being:

Don’t aim for perfection

Obsessing over inconsequential things can eat into your time, as well as mental well-being. Learn to let go of things that are not in your control. Be pragmatic, and try to uncomplicate life. Obsession is never a healthy habit, and getting done things just right is often the way to go.

Stop to smell the roses

We often find ourselves slaves to the routine. Get up, get ready and go to work. In this clockwork schedule, it’s important to pause for a while and introspect. Take time-outs and ponder over things that are important. Do Yoga or meditation, exercise, get your mind off stuff. Find a hobby, read a book, play an instrument. The time spent doing things you want to will recharge you for doing things that you need to.

Disconnect

Though technology has taken over our lives, you don’t have to succumb to it all the time. That new notification alert can wait. The new update can be put off. When you are with family and friends, keep away from your devices. Enjoy watching your kids play rather than shooting a new story. Avoid taking calls when done with work. Live in the moment.

Prioritize

Not all things are equally urgent. Your new business meeting might be important, but the lunch later might not be. You could probably drop it and catch your kid’s game instead. Once you start prioritizing, you will realize that you can manage time smartly without compromising on anything important.

Delegate

You are not a one-man-army at work. There are colleagues, juniors, even seniors who can share your load. It is always good to talk to someone who you know can help instead of burning yourself completely out.

Take long breaks

Go on that long-pending vacation you were always planning with family, friends or just yourself. Weekends are not going to be enough to spend quality time. It will be a great way to reconnect and strengthen the bonds with the people who matter in your life.

We understand that the dog-eat-dog corporate world can be quite demanding. But by being smart about time management, and prioritizing tasks, you will ultimately discover a happy equilibrium. In the quest for work-life balance, the scales will tilt in your favor.