If you're finding it more challenging than ever to juggle the demands of your job and the rest of your life, you're not alone.
"A lot of people are having a more difficult time finding balance in their lives because there have been cutbacks or layoffs where they work. They're afraid it may happen to them, so they're putting in more hours," says psychologist Robert Brooks, Ph.D., co-author of The Power of Resilience: Achieving Balance, Confidence, and Personal Strength in Your Life.
"But even if you don't have much control over the hours you have to work, you can ask yourself: In what other ways am I bringing greater enjoyment into my life?" Brooks says. "Focus your time and attention on things you can control."
Here are five ways to bring a little more balance to your daily routine:
1. Your self-care routine has gone out whack.
"Typically the first thing to go is taking care of ourselves," shares Kristin Kaufman, founder of Alignment, Inc., and author of the Is This Seat Taken? book series. "Our exercise habits fall off, and we pack on extra pounds and may even get out of breath going to the airport or up a flight of stairs." These sorts of changes can chip away at your quality of life.
2. You fail use your vacation days to relax, explore hobbies or work on your Bucket List
According to CBS News: "The average American worker is entitled to 16 days of paid leave. But the length of the average vacation lasts just over four days!"
That means 75% of paid vacation time is going to waste. Your paid vacation time is part of your compensation - failing to use it is like setting cash on fire.
5. You're a different person.
"Changes in mood-specifically, changes for the worse-are often signs that your work/life balance is off," warns Kate Siner, Ph.D., entrepreneurial and personal development mentor. Are you more negative, self-critical, withdrawn, or unmotivated than usual? If so, try to act now to stave off feeling-and acting-worse down the road.
It's easy to get stuck on the hamster wheel and push your concerns off to the future. But hop down for a second our experts recommend at least once a year and consider where you are now and where you want to be. Priorities may change, but taking care of yourself is always important.
© 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
