Work is a big part of life. Many people spend more time at work than they do awake at home, so it is important to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Some jobs require you to sit all day while others might require you to be on your feet constantly. Both levels of activity can have negative effects on your mood, health, and emotions. Below are the dos and don’ts of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Do: Take Advantage of Lunch and Breaks
Taking breaks during work can actually help you to be more productive. While it might be tempting to work through your lunch break, eating and taking a moment for yourself are important to getting through the rest of your day. It is even a good idea to take a 2-3-minute break every so often so that your brain can reset itself. It is not healthy – physically or emotionally- to skip your break time.
Do: Make Connections with Coworkers
You don’t have to divulge every detail of your personal life but making connections with your coworkers can help you to work better together. When we understand each other, we are more tolerant and understanding of quirks. Your coworker’s habits could drive you nuts, but once you make connections with them, you will better be able to handle their personality.
Do: Get Plenty of Exercise
Work can be stressful. Exercising a little bit each day or a few times each week can have very positive effects on your productivity at work. Exercise can help to reduce the stress of the workday. Whether you like to exercise in the morning or the evening, regularly working out can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle both at home and at work.
Do: Eat Balanced Meals
While work is a big part of life, so is eating. Consider maintaining a healthy diet—without eating properly, you won’t be so productive at work. Eat breakfast before you get in to work, and pack yourself a healthy lunch and some snacks. You can also try healthy energy boosters such as exogenous ketone supplements. Even if you have to eat your snack while working, it is important for your body to get the needed nutrients to make it through the day.
Don’t: Lack Sleep
You might think that staying up late to get everything done will make you feel better, but losing sleep is counterproductive. If you feel like you have a lot to do, make yourself a to-do list before you go to bed. This way, you will know what you need to do the next day but resting and getting enough sleep will allow you to be more productive. Be sure to take time to prepare for bed by shutting off electronics and doing something more relaxing. This way, when you get into bed, your body will actually be able to relax, so you will be ready to take on the next day at work.
Don’t: Bring Your Personal Life to Work
No matter what type of job you have, you should always be professional. Leave your problems at the door. Even though this can be difficult sometimes, you should try and focus on your work. Take care of your problems at home on your own time, not on your employer’s clock. If you have to, take a day off here and there to get your personal affairs in order.
Don’t: Write an Email When You’re Angry
There will be things at work that upset you. Both the written and the spoken word can be very powerful when we show our emotions. The difference is that the written word can be saved, forwarded and printed out. If you are unprofessional in your emails, this could affect your reputation, raises, and overall employment. Walk away from your desk if you are tempted to write an angry email and come back to it later.
Don’t: Stay if You Are Miserable
There are a ton of jobs out there. While it can be scary to leave a job you have had for a long time, sometimes change is necessary. If you wake up every day absolutely dreading going to work, then it is time to consider a change. You can apply for other jobs and see what happens but take steps to make your work life healthier. Remember that it is not okay to apply for a new job at your current job. This could get you into a lot of trouble.
We spend many years of our life working. If you consider that most people work between the ages of 16 and 65, you can understand that being healthy and happy at work are important. You can take important steps to maintain a balance in your life between you work life and personal life. It’s never too late to make changes to improve your situation.
