Striking a healthy work life balance can be a difficult challenge in the best of times but even more daunting during times of economic uncertainly or working from home due to a global pandemic! In the modern world with some much connected technology, often used for both work and pleasure it can be really hard to switch from work mode to home mode and some now use the term “work life merging” over work life balance! Ensuring that we have a good amount of down time is crucial for our physical and mental health and makes us more productive in our working lives. Over the next week we will look twelve tips from Tim Kehl, a work life balance specialist and a company chaplain from Madison Wisconsin. 

7. Nurture Your Family/Relationships

Relationships with family, friends, and loved ones are, by far, the greatest source of inner satisfaction. If your job or career is damaging your personal relationships, both areas will ultimately suffer. Sure there will be days when you will need to work overtime. The issue becomes problematic when these days become the rule, not the exception. By making your personal relationships a priority, your productivity and effectiveness on the job will actually increase.

8. Make Time for You

As much as work, health, and relationships take priority in your life, it is also important to schedule time for your own renewal. Indulge in some small pleasure daily. Take at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted “you time.” It will do wonders for your well-being, and your relationships and your career will benefit too. Connect with your spiritual source. Belief in God, or a higher power, can be a deep well from which to draw inspiration, guidance, and strength. Setting aside a weekly day of rest can be helpful, as well.

9. Leave Work at Work

Develop a mental on-off switch between work and home. It helps to establish a transitional activity between the two realms. This might consist of listening to music or recorded books during your evening commute, exercising at the fitness centre, running errands, or keeping personal appointments. Scheduling such activities immediately following your normal work hours also prevents you from spending that extra twenty minutes at the office which then turns into several hours.