Finding some semblance of balance in our lives is often challenging. We can find ourselves juggling deadlines at work, social and personal commitments, and self-care. Somehow, self-care frequently falls off our radar. Before you know it, you’re running in the hamster wheel at full sprint, trying not to fall off. The New Year brings with it a chance to reassess our patterns and habits. What would it look like if we were keeping the wheel moving smoothly and steadily, instead of the wheel running us?
Take the long view. Our priorities shift from day to day, week to week, month to month. We may have a deadline at work that requires us to work some extra hours in the evenings or over a weekend. There’s nothing wrong with a little hard work, or going the extra mile for a project or a client. The next time you find yourself burning the midnight oil at work, reward yourself for being a team player and set aside some time for something that will make you feel good after the deadline is completed. If you’re a manager, consider giving the employees that are giving you their discretionary time a little time off, or another token of your appreciation. These gestures often go a long way in employee loyalty and humanizing the workplace.
Prioritize self-care. How many times have you heard yourself or someone else saying, “I don’t have any time to…. (insert exercise, watch a movie, sleep in, etc. here)”? Taking time for ourselves may feel selfish at times because it means that it is time in which we are not attending to others’ needs – our families, our significant other, our friends, our kids, our coworkers, our clients. When we do not take time out of our day to do something to replenish our energy, it is only a matter of time before we begin to feel depleted, which can eventually lead to resentment. Ask yourself, “What small act of self-care can I prioritize that will replenish my energy?” Even taking 15 minutes for yourself can make a big difference in your day.
Model the behavior. Just booked yourself a massage? Going to bootcamp class in the morning? Going outside for some fresh air at lunch? Riding your bike to work? Be open and talk about it with your teammates, especially if you are in a management position. People will take notice, and inevitably reflect on what they’re doing (or not doing) for themselves. The goal is not to change people, but rather to de-stigmatize self-care in a society that often still fuels itself on busyness.
We’d love to hear the things you do to create balance in your life. Please tell us in the comments section!
-Amy Hill, Teams InBalance Director & Facilitator