If work place and personal life are imbalanced,

stress levels may be dangerously high.

Following are ways to find a balance

It is quite challenging to find the perfect balance between the workplace and personal life.

Spending more time at the workplace by sacrificing time at the home will leave you in want for personal space. And the vice versa is also true. Tackling the stressors of daily life such as marital problems or caring for parents can be challenging and can adversely impact your work.

Irrespective of the workplace stress, if your work and personal life are not balanced you are sure to experience stress and its harmful effects.

On the positive side you can strike a right chord between your work and your personal life. You can find a balance by learning which things are of most importance. Of principal importance is the knowledge of how the workplace has evolved over the years. Following which, you can decide your relationship with work by making specific modifications to both your personal and work life.

How work affects your personal life
Standard work hours involved working from Monday through Friday and for eight to nine hours per day. With such a work schedule the boundaries were easy to draw between work and home. With implementation of 24×7 work schedules there are no longer easier ways to delineate between work and home. The following are some of the reasons for changes in the workplace:

Changes in economy:

With the increase in skilled labor and the outsourcing of jobs to reduce costs, there is an increase in pressure among the workforce to increase the work hours in order to retain their jobs.

Business on an international scale: Working on 24×7 schedules is common today. Working for an organization with international locations might require you to login for work at odd hours.

Enhanced technology:

With the improvements in technology by leaps and bounds, one can work from the comfort of their home or car. It is not surprising that a lot of individuals are working even on a vacation. In fact, certain managers promote this.

Increase in work hours:

It is fairly common for employees to stay back long after their official hours are over. In some cases, overtime is necessary. Often, you may have to work more than the typical 40 hours a week to achieve success and appraisals.

Modifications in family roles:

Married, working individuals find themselves having a dual career. They find it difficult to strike a balance between their family and work.

Marriage with the Workplace
It might be tempting to stay back at your workplace to gain a favorable appraisal. Some individuals stay back in lure of earning a few extra bucks for a dream vacation or funding their children’s education. For many staying back becomes mandatory as the workload gets heavy.

Spending more time at work would require you to sacrifice your time spent at home. Therefore, it is necessary to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before deciding to stay back.

Burnout:

Your mental prowess and hand-eye coordination decrease during fatigue. This can hamper your productivity and make you vulnerable to making errors. Errors can lead to embarrassment and can tarnish your image.

Family ties:

Your family ties can take a beating with an increase in time spent at the workplace. You also stand a good chance of missing important family events such as your dad’s 60th birthday or your child’s first bike ride.

Pals:

Friends are an important part of the support system in your life. Nurturing these friendships becomes difficult if you sacrifice the time you spend with them.

Handling expectations:

Working extra-hours on a long-term basis may be the reason you are given extra responsibility. This might in turn lead to a never-ending cycle of increased challenges and stress.

At times, working overtime may be important. Working for an organization that requires you working overtime on a mandatory basis will only increase the pressure and stress. However, it can be effectively managed. It is important to know when to say a firm ‘no’, especially in the light of family commitments or extreme fatigue.

Ways to Strike a Chord between Professional and Personal Life
It can be quite daunting to find the right balance between professional and personal life due to the challenges on your schedule. Family commitments to working overtime, they all can disturb the much wanted balance.  Prioritize the activities so that you know which to include and which to skip.

Following are some of the ways that help you find the right balance:
Maintain a log:

Schedule yourself for at least a week. Include activities pertaining to your professional and personal life. Know which to avoid and which to include. Assign activities to family members or colleagues on a timely basis. Feel free to consult your supervisor if you do not have the authority for certain decisions.

Explore your options:

Explore options such as flexi-hours, job-sharing, or compressed workweeks. These options could help you eliminate some stress and leave you with time for your personal life.

Learn to say a firm ‘no’:

Some of the things that are difficult to say no include spearheading a new project when asked by your superior or managing the school play of your child. You need to say a firm ‘no’ to commitments that you undertake under a false sense of obligation or indulge in out of guilt. This will help you find more space for activities that are more important and meaningful to you.

Leave work at the workplace:

Businesses are increasingly getting global. Technology, too, is allowing individuals to contact anyone, irrespective of time and space. Creating a boundary between your personal and professional life is therefore necessary. Some of the simple things to do are switching off your cell phone or laptop when in the company of family members.

Effective time management:

Schedule household chores on a daily basis. Segregate laundry over a couple of days and household chores in batches so that they do not become overwhelming. Maintaining a to-do list or weekly calendar of important dates helps to avoid unnecessary panic. Sign up for a course in time management if your employer offers you one.

Redefine the standards of cleaning:

A bed that is not ready or a sink full of soiled clothes will affect the quality of your life to a small extent. Do the most important tasks and let the trivial ones pass. If affordable employ an individual to get the work done.

Clear communication:

Avoid misunderstandings through clear and effective communication. Active listening is crucial for communication. If necessary make a note of important points.

Combating guilt:

Always keep in mind that is alright to have a family and job at the same time. And this is true across both genders.

Look after Yourself:

Allocate certain time each day for relaxing activities such as a brisk walk, a healthy workout, or listening to soothing music. Alternatively, relax after a taxing day by practicing meditation or reading.

Time for recreation:

Try switching off the television and computer. Indulge in activities that you can practice with you family and close friends. Some of these activities include fishing and playing a game of golf. Indulging in these fun-filled activities will give a fresh boost of energy.

Protect your weekly holiday:

Schedule some of your household chores for your weekly off so that the things do not get taxing.

Get adequate sleep:

Sleep deprivation can be extremely stressful and dangerous in the long run. Not only do you lose precious hours of productivity, but you also run the risk of making costly mistakes. You may in return have to spend many hours rectifying your errors.

Enhance your support system:

Chat with a friend or colleague during distressing times. Always have friends and loved ones as your support while you stay back at work or travel.

Seek expert advice:

Do not be shy to ask for help. Talk to a counselor or mental health professional if things become difficult to manage. Some of the doctors may be a part of employee assistance program.

Most services provided through this program are free of cost and highly confidential. A professional can also get you the services of others in the community especially if the problems are marital, financial, or related to substance abuse. As time progresses the emphasis on your personal life and professional life also changes. Therefore, careful assessment is necessary every couple of months.

Striking a right chord between your personal and professional life does not mean doing everything. Prioritize your activities and set boundaries. Know your limits in terms of what activities you can handle. After all it is only you can find harmony in your life.

Sourced: http://www.stayhealthier.com/balance-between-work-and-life-eliminate-stress-attain-harmony.html