5 Tips for Better Work/Life Balance

Isn’t it wonderful, you get days off during the week when others are at school or work, so the shops aren’t crowded, or the beach is quite for you to enjoy the time. You can run around and do your errands without everyone else out there doing the same thing on the same day as you! It’s brilliant, until, you need to work that double shift on a weekend when your friends are all going out, doing fun things, and enjoying days off – together.

Having a Work/Life Balance as a shift worker is difficult, but it takes loads of organisation and control. Here are my 5 tips for a better work/life balance for you, even if you’re a shift worker:

1. Build downtime into your schedule.
When you plan your week, make it a point to schedule time with your family and friends, and activities that help you recharge. It helps to be proactive about scheduling, When I go out with my friends, we all whip out our phones and put another night out on the calendar for 1 month later.

2. Drop activities that sap your time or energy.
Many people waste their time on activities or people that add no value — for example, spending too much time at work with a colleague who is constantly venting and gossiping. “Oh easier said than done” I hear you say, everyone loves a gossip. Take stock of activities that don’t enhance your career or personal life, and minimize the time you spend on them.

3. Rethink your errands.
Consider whether you can outsource any of your time-consuming household chores or errands. In today’s world, where everything is at our fingertips, some of our everyday erands can really be made easy! Outsourcing is vital, not a nicety.  Could you order your groceries online and have them delivered? Hire a kid down the street to mow your lawn? Have your dry cleaning picked up and dropped off at your home or office? Even if you’re on a tight budget, you may discover that the time you’ll save will make it worth it.

4. Get moving.
It’s hard to make time for exercise when you have a jam-packed schedule, but it may ultimately help you get more done by boosting your energy level and ability to concentrate.  Research shows exercise can help you to be more alert, and I’ve noticed that when I don’t exercise because I’m trying to squeeze in another half hour of work, I don’t feel as alert.

5. Remember that a little relaxation goes a long way.
Don’t assume that you need to make big changes to bring more balance to your life. I recommend setting realistic goals, like leaving the office earlier 1 night per week.  Slowly build more activities into your schedule that are important to you, maybe you can start by spending an hour a week on your hobby, or planning a weekend getaway with your partner once a year.