How to Have a Better Work Life Balance

If you’re finding it more challenging than ever to juggle the demands of your job and the rest of your life, you’re not alone. Many people are putting in extra hours, or using their smartphones to be on call when they’re not physically at work.
A lot of people are having a more difficult time finding balance in their lives because there have been cutbacks or layoffs where they work. They’re afraid it may happen to them, so they’re putting in more hours. Focus your time and attention on things you can control.

Here are five ways to bring a little more balance to your daily routine:

1. Build downtime into your schedule.

When you plan your week, make it a point to schedule time with your family and friends, and activities that help you recharge. If a date night with your spouse or a night out with friends is on your calendar, you’ll have something to look forward to and an extra incentive to manage your time well so you don’t have to cancel.

2. Drop activities that sap your time or energy.

Many people waste their time on activities or people that add no value — for example, spending too much time at work with a colleague who is constantly venting and gossiping. Take stock of activities that don’t enhance your career or personal life, and minimize the time you spend on them. You may even be able to leave work earlier if you make a conscious effort to limit the time you spend on the web and social media sites, making personal calls, or checking your bank balance. We often get sucked into these habits that are making us much less efficient without realizing it.

3. Rethink your errands.

Consider whether you can outsource any of your time-consuming household chores or errands. Could you order your groceries online and have them delivered? Hire a kid down the street to mow your lawn? Have your dry cleaning picked up and dropped off at your home or office? Order your stamps online so you don’t have to go to the post office? Even if you’re on a tight budget, you may discover that the time you’ll save will make it worth it. You can even trade services with friends. Offer to do tasks that you enjoy or that you were planning to do anyway. You could exchange gardening services for babysitting services. If you like to cook, you could prepare and freeze a couple of meals and give them to a friend in exchange for wrapping your holiday gifts.

4. Get moving.

It’s hard to make time for exercise when you have a jam-packed schedule, but it may ultimately help you get more done by boosting your energy level and ability to concentrate. Research shows exercise can help you to be more alert.

5. Remember that a little relaxation goes a long way.

Don’t assume that you need to make big changes to bring more balance to your life. Set realistic goals, like leaving the office earlier 1 night per week. Slowly build more activities into your schedule that are important to you. Even during a hectic day, you can take 10 or 15 minutes to do something that will recharge your batteries. You have to make a little time for the things that ignite your joy.

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Stress Busters

Here are 8 super quick easy ways to help you de-stress when all you have is 10 seconds.

1. Deep breaths. Sometimes all you have time for is a deep breath—sometimes that’s all you need. Inhale for five seconds, filling up your lungs to full capacity. As you take your breath in, allow your belly to expand outward. To exhale, open up your mouth and empty your lungs.

2. Laugh out loud. Have you ever had a really good laugh that brought tears to your eyes? Afterwards it feels like you have taken 20 deep breaths of fresh, pure mountain air. That’s because laughter is known to release the “happy chemicals” dopamine and endorphins in your system. Subscribe to some feeds for a laugh of the day.

3. Put a smile on your face. The simple act of smiling releases chemicals that not only reduce stress but also promote a healthy immune system. When you smile at someone they typically smile back—also a great stress reliever and positive reinforcement for you to smile more.

4. Aromatherapy. Lavender odorants are associated with significant levels of reduced stress. You can purchase a little jar of lavender oils or a little sachet at most health food stores. It’s easy to keep in your purse, car, office, or home. Bring it close to your nose, take a deep breath in, and breathe out the tension and stress in your body.

5. Give someone a compliment. It doesn’t take very long to find something good in another. It takes your mind off of your stresses. The great thing about this is the more often you do it, the easier it gets. Who knows, you may be able to throw out two compliments in 10 seconds if you keep it up.

6. Five jumping jacks. One way to take control of the stress in your life is through physical activity. Being active can boost your feel-good endorphins and distract you from daily worries. Research proves time and time again that one of the best behavioral techniques to combat stress and anxiety is to engage in physical activity. If you only have 10 seconds, jumping jacks are the perfect full-body movement to sneak in. Jump away.

7. Kiss someone. Kissing and touching loved ones help you feel connected, safe, and less stressed.

8. SCREAM!!!! YELL your loudest. When you feel like you just can’t take it any longer let out a loud SCREAM! Whether we are conscious of our own stress or not, screaming is a great way to release tension. So get out there and SCREAM!
Often times it’s hard to know how you feel. People survive their busy lives by living on autopilot, zoned out, not even remembering how they got home from work. Consumed with this stressful life, we sometimes go days without realizing that our shoulders are big rocks sitting next to our ears. The key to combating stress is to be aware of your body and how it feels. Check in with yourself several times throughout the day—even more on high stress level days. Integrate some of these simple 10 second stress busters and you’re on your way to a calmer, happier, and healthier you.

http://www.beachbodycoach.com/michelevaron
fb.com/MotivationalCoachingByMichele
twitter.com/CoachMicheleV
IG/motivationalcoachingbymichele
http://www.uftbiz.com/michelevaron – Interested in a home based business? Learn more about Beachbody coaching and helping others stay motivated and accountable to reach their goals while you are also reaching yours!