When did you last take out time to laugh, to dance, and to love? Consciously taking out time to celebrate without it being an “occasion”.
Can you even remember?
In the words of an unknown poet: ‘This is the age of the half-read page; the quick hash and the mad dash. The bright knight with the nerves tight; the plane hop and the brief stop. The lamp-tan in a brief span; the big shot in a good spot. The brain strain and the heart pain; the catnaps until the spring snaps…and the fun’s done!’ Sobering words, right? But does it have to be that way?
Learn to include a break as you make that “to do” list this week, as it often becomes apparent that we always put work first and neglect our personal lives. This is the perfect time to refocus and try to find more balance and separation between work and play.
Work-life balance is an important aspect of a healthy work environment. Maintaining work-life balance helps reduce stress and helps prevent burnout. Burnout can cause fatigue, mood swings, irritability and a decrease in work performance.
In all the chase for wealth and relevance, you need to make memories as the the day goes by. People put so much mental energy and dedication into work, even continuing to perform work duties and think about the job long after the workday is over. Unfortunately, we often neglect to put the same emotional energy into ourselves and into our social relationships. This, in turn, leaves us feeling unbalanced, unfulfilled and unsatisfied.
“We NEED to stop glamourising overworking. Please.
The absence of sleep, a good diet, exercise, relaxation, and time with friends and family isn’t something to be applauded.
Too many people wear their burnout as a badge of honour.
And it needs to change.”
—Katy Leeson
Here are some tips I’ve compiled to make it easier to find the balance between work and play:
1. Set a schedule for how late you plan to be at work.
2. Leave work at work.
3. Make plans with the people in your life ( friends and family )
4. Take out time for your own individual activities (commit to me time).
5. Don’t feel guilty!
6. Put away devices
7. Prioritize vacation
Don’t be too busy to acknowledge the beauty around you, the taste of your favourite meal, the synchrony of your favourite books /movie/ music. Revel in the beauty that is life. Chuck Swindoll writes: ‘I refuse to force hilarity into the back seat every time responsibility takes the wheel.
Create time to laugh, to dance and to love. It’s important for you to find the activities that rejuvenate you. Even rebooting on a weekend can boost your energy significantly for the week ahead.
