Workplace stress is estimated to be the 5th biggest cause of death in the United States. Additionally, a quarter of Americans identify their jobs as their #1 source of stress.
The biggest problem is that most people think they have no choice. But that’s not really true.
Remember that work-life balance is ultimately created through your choices. That’s also what’s causing much of your stress. By agreeing to take on more work when you don’t have the capacity or not delegating work that could be delegated, you’re creating more stress for yourself.
Here are the choices that you could start making for yourself to relieve a lot of your stress and anxiety:
Saying no to things that aren’t priorities.
Delegating as much as can be.
Choosing to do things that are priorities (and letting go of non-priorities).
Prioritizing your own wellbeing.
The end result is a more manageable workload and more time doing the things that are important to you. That’s going to greatly decrease your stress and anxiety levels.
Regardless of whether work hours are shortened, without a decrease in work commitments, the time spent at home might be dominated by steady business-related contemplations and strain. As far as some might be concerned, stressors working lead to work depletion and diminished wellbeing, possibly affecting fulfillment in close-to-home connections.
Constant pressure has led to crabbiness and nervousness observed up to 75% more in the workplace. Such issues might finish into delayed melancholy, misery, and medication or liquor misuse. Likewise, if authoritative faithfulness is anxious to the detriment of family obligations and assumptions, family fulfillment and a withdrawal from family jobs might be normal.
See how these issues are related to lower usefulness. This happens by means of low worker resolve, burnout, and high representative turnover. Medical services spending is additionally lower among workers who are under less pressure.
3 helpful tips:
1. Set boundaries at work
“We all know how difficult it can be to set boundaries at work. This can be especially hard if you are early in your career, or even just new to your current job or company. We all want to do a good job, and prove to our peers and supervisors that we are capable and that we excel at our work”
2. If you’re working from home, build your schedule as if you were going to the office.
“I think that one of the hardest things about working from home is that it removes all the normal structure that used to make up our days. Whether you were commuting by train, driving, walking to work, stepping out for lunch, or having drinks after work with coworkers, the time we used to spend away from our workspaces was incredibly valuable for our productivity.
Studies have shown that taking breaks can greatly improve your productivity, especially while focusing on a single task for long periods of time.”
3. Do a cell phone detox
“Let’s face it, most of us are kind of addicted to our devices. I mean, 35% of Americans check their phones more than 50 times a day. A study found that 47% of smartphone users state that they couldn’t live a day without their phone... I would have expected that number to be even higher!”
“Studies are just beginning to explain the effects of smartphone use on mental health, and much of the research has been focused on younger people and phone use. A study of 300 graduate university students linked smartphone addiction to anxiety and depression. The study describes how phones can become a tool of “avoidance coping”—aka a distraction to divert ourselves from unpleasant or stressful thoughts or feelings. Over time, this can create a pattern that may lead to further negative mental health consequences. “
Benefits:
With a satisfactory work-life balance, employers can reap a range of benefits. Productivity is higher, absenteeism is lower, and physical and mental health improves with a higher commitment and motivation to work. Personal relationships can also benefit from achieving this balance.
One of the biggest complaints I hear from new clients is their inability to be present (both at home and at work). What that looks like is this:
Your mind feels like it’s always “on”, racing and cluttered with thoughts that can sometimes be difficult to decipher.
Always thinking about work when with family and friends (which then leads you to constantly check email).
Worrying about what’s going on in your personal life when trying to work (such as your overflowing laundry, the fight you had with your spouse that morning, or how guilty you feel about not making it to your child’s piano recital the other night).
If this hits a chord for you, then listen up (because it’s what I believe to be one of the biggest reasons why work-life balance is important): your brain can be trained to be present. Rewire your mind through consistent use of specific mindfulness practices.
How Mindfulness Creates Internal Balance
Mindful awareness will help you to be:
More attuned to people’s emotions and feelings;
Better at responding to people intuitively (which will positively affect your relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and even clients);
Aware of the good around you (and not just focused on the bad).
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