In the old days, it was a lot easier to keep work at the office. But since the era of email and smartphones, it’s become increasingly difficult to tune out work and disconnect.
Two-thirds of the U.S working population say that burnout worsened during the pandemic — and that was the leading cause of stress.
Here are six helpful ways to help you get to a better work-life balance:
Sign off and mean it
When the clock strikes 5 p.m. — or whenever your workday ends — sign off for the day. It’s too easy to keep checking your emails or to polish up that work project when you’re still connected.
But we all know that just answering a work email after hours can lead to correspondence late into the night. Remember: This is your personal time.
Take your breaks
More than a quarter of workers don’t take any breaks except for lunch. According to a survey, 55% are afraid to take a break and feel as if they cannot leave their desk. In a separate study, of those who work from home, about 91% admit to not taking a break — not even for lunch.
You deserve — and are often guaranteed — a certain amount of break time, including a full lunch break. Break times vary from company to company, so check out your handbook and take advantage of the time that is yours. I few minutes of walking outside can do wonders for your mood and productivity.
Block your work schedule
The chances of a meeting sneaking on your schedule during lunch hours are very high. Blocking your work schedule so others know when you’re taking lunch, and when you’re available for meetings can help create healthy work boundaries.
Utilize the away message option
If you have a hard time signing off from work, use your away message option. In email settings, you can set up a reoccurring away message for certain times each day. Just write a friendly and professional note giving people a heads up that you’ve received their email and that it will be answered the next business day during working hours.
Make a schedule
Planning is fantastic, but they can be hard to execute if you don’t pencil them into your schedule. Find time to hang out with friends, go to the doctor, take time alone or even read a book. Making a schedule outside of work will help you get in the habit of prioritizing and putting yourself first.
Stop the guilt
Sometimes we take on a heavy workload so it’s easier for someone else — even if it’s harder for us. Guilt is what drives some in the workforce and can cause burnout and other issues. Setting work boundaries and creating a space for open dialogue can help ease the guilt and encourage a healthier working environment.
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