Are you over-working? You could be driving yourself too hard and missing out on the good things in life you need and deserve. If you're holding down more than one job, for instance, or combining work with other demanding commitments, you'll be hard-pressed to find time for any leisure. But you need some rest, pleasure and fun in your life for basic health and well-being, even if it means cutting back your workload. Use this list of basic needs, together with the tips and suggestions, to fix yourself a better work/life balance.
Physical rest
If you're on your feet all day, put them up as soon as your work is finished. Your body needs rest to restore energy, and your circulation needs the boost it receives when you raise your feet to knee-level. If you can't spare time for any rest before bedtime, try to arrange some sedentary tasks to give your body a rest. If you find your work exhausting, see if you can delegate any of it to a colleague, friend or family member - as appropriate.
Time to think
Carve out a little time in the day to reflect. Let your eyes glaze over and your mind wander, even if just for a few minutes. You may need time to dwell on a sorrow, relish happy news or just get matters in perspective. Everyone needs time for calm reflection, so don't feel bad about taking five minutes out to daydream.
Fresh air and exercise
Computer work and other desk jobs usually involve sitting indoors for long hours. If your work is like this, you need to ensure you get some fresh air, sunlight, and physical exercise at some point each day. If you're home-based, take your work outside on fine days. You may need a sunscreen for your laptop, but a shady spot or doorway may keep out the dazzle for you. Take regular breaks to get up and stretch your legs, preferably outside for a boost of oxygen and vitamin D. Listen to the birdsong and look at life around you. If you drive to your workplace, park your car a little distance away and walk the last stretch. Likewise, if you take a bus, get off at the stop early and enjoy a saunter.
Social life
It's important to keep in touch with your friends and join in social events, however busy you are. Use snatches of spare time to arrange meet-ups or at least enjoy some phone chats. But now and again you'll need some more substantial, meaningful social life - fun-filled days, weekends and holidays where you can forget about work altogether. It is said that no one is indispensable to a workplace, so find someone to step in for you, or put your commitments on hold, and take off.
Dream fulfilment
You need to find time for one thing more - to pursue your dreams. Take a course in your favorite subject, join an activity group or write the novel that's inside you. Don't let life pass you by - do the things you want to do, even if you have to do them piecemeal.
Cut your workload
Think carefully if there is any way you could cut back your daily and weekly commitments to fit in your much-needed leisure times. You may find you can share out some tasks to colleagues, friends or family members, or just drop some of them. If any of your commitments are purely charitable, for instance, it may be time to put your own needs first. If you're working for money, could you manage on less, cutting back your expenditure instead, perhaps. If you're working to buy for gifts for your kids, for instance, you may find they value cost-free family fun as much as expensive, new toys.
There's nothing wrong with being busy, in fact many people thrive on hard work. But don't let duty or ambition run away with you. With a balanced lifestyle, you'll have even more to give, so get it sorted right now.
