The hustle is real. We are all working to the best of our abilities. But, is your work/life balance off? Do you get the feeling that every day, week or month is just a little bit busier than it needs to be? You’re not alone. It’s not uncommon for work and life to get in the way of each other. But there are ways for us to make improvements in our lives and see more success at work! We all want to find happiness in our jobs by balancing our life with time spent away from work. It’s important to take care of yourself so that you can continue giving 100% at each task.

If you need help finding balance, read on below for 5 tips that will show how much better your days could be when they’re well-balanced between personal and professional responsibilities.

• Schedule your days to allow time for both work and personal life.  

If you are sitting in front of the computer all day long, toiling away on your work then it’s time that you schedule in some “you” time. Schedule blocks of time to focus on work and other times to give attention to personal moments.  It helps if these scheduled times are similar each day so you can adjust your schedule accordingly. For example, you might schedule three hours of work from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., lunch at noon, and work from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Also, figure out your needs. Do you need to exercise, do you prefer to work at night, etc.?  Are there more productive times of the day for you? Once you understand what your body needs, it will be easier to schedule activities that honor your needs.You should also figure out your strengths. We all have different strengths, so find ways to work with them.  For example, if you are a morning person and wake up energized at 6:00 a.m., do the most labor-intensive tasks first thing in the morning so you will have the energy to complete them.

• Keep up with your hobbies outside of work hours, such as cooking or reading:

What helps you unwind? Whether it’s another cup of coffee or spending time with your significant other, find hobbies that help relax and recharge your energy.  Avid readers understand the peace you experience after reading a good book. You might listen to music, cook, or bake something delicious. Some people take yoga classes to keep their bodies flexible and strong. Others like to go for a good, long run and let the day’s thoughts flow away into the wind.

This is something I do daily: when I feel my mind overloaded with work-related things, I take a walk outside. It helps me stimulate my body and mind at the same time. I find that, while I stroll around the city, my mind wanders away to other thoughts. It’s calming!

• Give yourself an hour to do something you enjoy before or after work each day:

I know it’s hard to find time, but if you give yourself an hour each day to do something you enjoy, you’ll be much happier.  It can be anything, including playing sports or watching your favorite show. When it’s time to log off, log off!  Disconnecting from work is just as important as connecting with yourself so try not to bring the office home with you.

This practice has given me more energy throughout my day that is now invested into completing work tasks, instead of thinking about work.  This small change also helped me de-stress and take a break from the current day’s activities without feeling guilty. Remember that it is okay if you need to relax: Sometimes we’re so “on” all the time that we forget to take care of ourselves. We’re our own worst bosses when it comes to stress.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, do something for yourself before working on anything else. If possible, take a walk outside or get a coffee with friends. We all deserve to relax and enjoy ourselves after spending hours on the job! If you’re feeling burnt out or that your work is affecting your personal life then it’s time to take a step back. You might find that you are more productive or happier once you decrease the number of work hours you put into your day.

• Get enough sleep so that you can perform optimally at home and in the workplace:

Getting enough rest is an important part of being healthy. If you’re trying to be productive and work extra hours, you might feel like getting extra sleep isn’t a good idea. However, we all know that we function better when we’re properly rested and that it’s much easier to accomplish our tasks when we’re alert and well-rested.

The amount of sleep you need depends on your age and physical health, but generally, you should get 7-9 hours per night. Anything less than six hours is not recommended because it’s not enough time to recover from a full day’s activities.

We all know that sleep is important and we’ve probably heard that many times. I know it’s hard to sleep without working or worrying, but if you intend on sleeping well, then make time for quality rest before bed. It’ll do wonders for the next day!

• Take a break from your phone at least one hour before bedtime:  

If you are one of those who still believe that humans are superior to robots, perhaps you should look up how bad it is for your health to use electronic devices before bed. Research has shown that artificial light, including TV or phone screens, interrupts the release of melatonin which makes us feel tired. It could be even worse if you used your phone or looked at a screen right before bed.

If you are someone who falls asleep with their device in hand, try spending some time away from electronics one hour before going to bed. You will fall asleep faster and sleep better if you avoid looking at bright screens an hour before sleeping

We all want to find happiness in our jobs by balancing life with time spent away from work. It’s important to take care of yourself so that you can continue giving 100% at each task. I hope you found these helpful. If so, let me know what your favorite tip is in the comment section below!