Whether we’re working from home, a remote location, or in a traditional office setting, achieving work-life balance is something we all strive for. Dr. Ruhi Satija, Consultant Psychiatrist, Counseling Therapist, and Mind-Change Consultant, makes an important point. She shares that before we understand what work-life balance is, it is important to understand what work-life balance is not. “A common misconception is that balance means having control over how our day goes, and expectations of no stress or problems. Work-life balance does not eliminate the occurrence of difficulties or problems, but It creates an inner environment of calmness and greater clarity to be able to prioritize the more important from the urgent and to be able to build resilience and perspective,” says Dr. Satija. She says that when we talk about work-life balance, we are essentially talking about creating harmony in day-to-day life, being able to find joy in whatever we are doing at the moment and have the resilience and strength to face difficult situations. with ease.
How to achieve work-life balance
Work-life balance, says Dr Satija, creates mental stability and gives us more energy and enthusiasm to be able to do what we need to do. Here’s how you can find a balance between your professional and personal life:
1. “Set clear boundaries between work and personal life: Separate work and personal time limits and stick to it. If on one day, one area needs more attention, the next day or week another area compensate,” says Dr. Satija.
2. Dr. Satija states that at the workplace, a person should:
– Focus on high impact tasks.
Understand the difference between urgent and important.
– Delegate and outsource tasks when possible The need to do everything comes from the perfectionism trait – It is important to recognize things or tasks that can be delegated.
– Practice effective time management techniques.
– Promote open communication with your co-workers and superiors about your workload and needs.
– Focus on efficient workplace organization.
3. When it comes to personal time, Dr. Satija suggests the following:
Start with a morning routine that isn’t centered around work.
Schedule regular breaks and make time for self-care activities.
– Create a designated workspace to separate work from home/family space.
– Ask for support from family, friends or mentors.
– Identify time-wasting activities or distractions such as mindless scrolling through social media and watching television.
– Set aside time for hobbies and leisure activities.
– Establish a consistent sleep schedule.
– Create a mental and physical health routine.
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Work-Life Balance: 5 Effective Strategies
Here are some effective strategies to achieve work-life balance, as suggested by Dr. Satija:
1. Micro Time Frame: Carve out small slots of time throughout the day for personal activities or self-care. For example, take short breaks to stretch, meditate, or enjoy a hobby.
2. Energy Conservation: Instead of just managing time, focus on managing your energy as well, identifying your most productive hours and scheduling important tasks during those times. Also, take regular breaks to recharge and avoid burnout.
3. Unplugged Time: Establish a daily “unplug time” to disconnect from work-related technology. Set aside a specific time each day to turn off your devices and engage in activities that bring you joy or help you relax.
4. Say No: Learn to say “no” without feeling guilty. Understand your priorities and limits, and politely decline tasks or commitments that don’t suit them.
5. Time Change: Create intentional transition activities between work and personal life that help give clear signals to the brain about when to stop focusing on a particular task. For example, you might develop a ritual, such as taking a short walk or listening to calming music, to signal the end of the workday and the transition to personal time. It helps to create clear boundaries and change your mindset.
It’s best to start with one area of your life or one time zone of the day and achieve some balance in that, then continue building healthy habits for the rest of the time. Pick one healthy habit and stick with it until it becomes a natural part of your life, then add the next healthy habit. It reduces dropouts and increases the chances of sticking to the new pattern in life. At the end of the day, spend some time on self-reflection and make necessary adjustments and changes based on the current state of your life. As the saying goes, live for your dreams, don’t die for them,” says Dr Ruhi Satija.