6 Tips to Achieve a Better Work Life Balance

There's no question that work life balance is important. When our work life takes over, it can be difficult to maintain a healthy balance in our personal lives. Juggling family responsibilities, social obligations, and time for ourselves can be a challenge. But it's not impossible! One of the most important things you can do for your mental wellbeing is to create and maintain a healthy work-life balance. This can be a challenge, especially if you have a demanding job or are a working mum suffering from mum guilt. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for achieving a better work life balance. This will help you to recharge and avoid burnout. By following these tips, you can create a healthy work-life balance that will benefit both your career and your wellbeing.

1. Evaluate how you're currently spending your time

Now is the perfect time to take a close look at how you're spending your time. Are you happy with how you're using your time each day? If not, what changes do you need to make?

It can be helpful to periodically evaluate how you're spending your time to make sure that it aligns with your values and priorities. One way to do this is to keep a journal for a week or two and track how you spend your time each day. At the end of the week, you can review your journal entries and see where you're spending most of your time. If you find that you're not spending enough time on activities that are important to you, then you can make some adjustments to your schedule. Evaluating your current spending of time can help ensure that you're making the most of your hours each day.

It can be helpful to start by looking at how you spend your weekdays and weekends. Do you have a good mix of activities, or do you find yourself doing the same things day after day? If you're feeling bored or uninspired, it might be time to mix things up a bit. Try adding some new activities to your weekly routine, or rearranging your schedule so that you have more time for the things you enjoy.

It's also important to consider the quality of your leisure time. Just because you're not working doesn't mean you're necessarily relaxing. In fact, many people find that they spend their free time engaged in activities that are just as stressful as work. If this sounds like you, try to find ways to relax and recharge that don't involve screens or stress. Take some time each day to disconnect from technology and do something calming, like reading, spending time outdoors, or talking with friends or family members. Making small changes in how you spend your time can make a big difference.

2. Make a schedule and stick to it

One way to improve work life balance is to make a schedule and stick to it. By scheduling time for work, and then sticking to that schedule, it becomes easier to find time for other activities. For example, if work is scheduled from 9am-5pm, then that leaves evenings and weekends free for leisure activities, errands, and so on. When work is scheduled, it is also important to take into account commute times, as well as time needed for breaks. By taking these factors into account, it becomes easier to create a realistic schedule that can be followed on a daily basis. Work life balance is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and making a schedule is one way to help achieve that balance. But you have to make sure to set clear boundaries and ensure others don't encroach on your time.

3. Say no to unnecessary commitments

It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life and say yes to every commitment that comes your way. However, this can quickly lead to burnout. That's why it's important to know when to say no. There are a few different ways to do this. First, consider whether the commitment is really necessary. If it's not, then there's no reason to say yes. Second, think about whether you have the time and energy for the commitment. If you're already stretched thin, then it's probably best to decline. Finally, don't be afraid to be honest with people. If you don't want to do something, just say so. It's better to be upfront than to make a commitment that you're not going to be able to keep. Remember, you can't pour from an empty cup.

4. Take breaks throughout the day

It's important to take breaks during the day, both for your mental and physical health. When you're working, it's easy to get lost in what you're doing and forget to take a break. But your body needs time to move and stretch, and your mind needs time to rest and rejuvenate. It's during these times of rest that your brain consolidates information and comes up with new ideas. Taking even a few minutes every hour to get up and walk around or take some deep breaths can make a big difference in your energy levels and productivity. If possible, try to get outside for some fresh air and sunshine. And when you do take a break, make sure to really disconnect from work. That means no checking email or taking calls. Just take some time for yourself to relax and recharge.

5. Delegate tasks whenever possible

One of the most important things you can do for your work-life balance is to delegate tasks whenever possible. When you delegate, you can free up your time so that you can focus on the things that are most important to you. Delegating can also help to reduce your stress levels, as you will no longer feel like you have to do everything yourself. Of course, delegating can be difficult, as it can be hard to let go of control. However, there are some simple tips that can help you delegate effectively. First, make sure that you choose the right person for the task. The person should be someone who is reliable and who has the skills and knowledge necessary to complete the task. Second, be clear about what you expect from the person. Give them specific instructions and deadlines, and then trust them to get the job done. Finally, don’t forget to follow up. Check in with the person periodically to make sure that they are on track. By following these tips, you can learn to delegate effectively and improve your work-life balance.

6. Set realistic goals for yourself

Achieving work life balance is important for maintaining your mental health and avoiding burnout. However, finding the time to invest in your hobbies and interests can be challenging. One way to create more balance in your life is to set realistic goals for yourself. For example, if you're looking to find additional time each week for a new hobby, start by setting a goal of 30 minutes per day or a beginner course once a week. Once you've achieved that goal, you can gradually increase the amount of time you dedicate to your hobby. By taking small steps, you'll be more likely to stick to your goal without feeling overwhelmed. Work life balance is essential for a happy and healthy life, so make it a priority in your own life.

Bach flower remedies for work life balance support

You may never have heard of Bach flower remedies but these natural remedies can be a great support for times of stress, setting boundaries and switch off your brain. They're completely natural, gentle and safe for all ages and alongside existing medication. You may have heard or used Rescue Remedy in times of stress - this is made from five flower remedies (Star of Bethlehem, Impatiens, Clematis, Rock Rose and Cherry Plum) and was created for times of emergency. There are actually 38 different flower remedies, many of which can support you better to manage stress and find better work life balance. Here are our top picks:

Rock Water

• You’re overly perfectionist & self-disciplined
• You deny yourself enjoyable things to keep up with your high standards
• Positive potential: to be more flexible

Vervain

• Your enthusiasm consumes you, which means you're unable to rest
• You're stressed, mind is always on and you take on too much
• Positive potential: the ability to unwind

White Chestnut

• You struggle to switch off and replay things in your mind
• You have repetitive thoughts worrying with no respite
• Natural sleep remedy for insomnia
• Positive potential: a calm & controlled mind

Pine

• You feel guilty or blame yourself
• You punish yourself, apologising even when you’ve done nothing wrong, never content with your efforts
• Positive potential: to take responsibility in a balanced way

Vine

• You like to be in charge, can be overbearing & bossy
• The Vine flower remedy personality is a powerful energy with leadership qualities but like to order people about
• Positive potential: to be a wise & understanding leader

Oak

• You’re overworked & tired but struggle on
• Never complain or give up, you struggle on and never take a break
• Positive potential: to understand your limits

Centaury

• You’re easily influenced by others and weak-willed
• You can be taken advantage of and struggle to stand up for yourself
• Positive potential: to set boundaries and be more assertive

Hornbeam

• You feel mentally weary at the thought of a task ahead
• Monday morning feeling, a lack of motivation
• Positive potential: to have your spirits lifted

Elm

• You’re overwhelmed by responsibility and pressure
• Usually a strong character, you have a feeling of not being able to keep up
• Positive potential: returned confidence

Cherry Plum

• You fear you might lose control
• Nerves are stretched to breaking point, uncontrolled outbreaks of rage
• Positive potential: courage and composure

Interested to try Bach flower remedies?

At Mindful Remedies we offer the ability to create a personalised Bach flower remedy blend, just for you. Simply select up to seven of the 38 flower remedies originally created by Dr Bach in the 1930s and we'll hand craft your personalised remedy and post it to you.

Create a remedy here

Alternatively you may wish to receive professional advice on which flower remedies to select as well as receiving a supportive ear to confide in. We also offer online consultations via Zoom with Lucy Edwards, a qualified Bach flower practitioner, registered with the Bach Centre.

Book a Flower Remedy Consultation

To read more about Bach flower remedies, the following pages may be of interest:

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