Work-life balance can mean different things to different people. It is all about balancing the time, energy and attention that you put into work, family and friends, health, nutrition, physical activity, relaxation, and mind (emotions, values, beliefs.) For most people, achieving an exact balance every day, day in, day out, is not possible. So rather than a perfect balance of time, it is realistic to aim for a division of your time that helps you feel the best version of yourself as often as possible.
Benefits of work-life balance include an increased sense of well-being, energy, happiness, better mental, physical and emotional health, reduced stress and a greater enjoyment and appreciation of life.
Take time to look back over the last few months, has your life felt balanced?
Balance changes daily, so it is best to assess over a period of months. What does balance feel like for you? What would have to change for you to feel happier, calmer, more energized etc more often?
The new year is a good time to reflect upon where and how you want to spend your time and energy. Identifying what needs to change and setting goals is useful to implement change.
Have you heard of SMART goals?
SMART goals is an acronym for:
S pecific
When a specific goal is identified and written down there is a much greater chance of it being accomplished and making yourself accountable for achieving it. Goals should be written simplistically to clearly define what you are going to do.
Who –who is involved?
What – do I want to accomplish?
Where – identify location
When – establish time frame
Which – identify requirements and constraints
Why – purpose or benefits of the goal
M easureable
When you measure your progress, you stay on track, reach targets and keep motivated
Ask – how much/many and how will I know when I have achieved it?
A ttainable/ Achievable
When you choose goals that are important to you, then you find ways to make that dream come true. They should also stretch you slightly so you feel challenged (or uncomfortable – the best way to grow)
It is possible? Have others done it successfully? Do I have the knowledge or skills to accomplish goal? Will meeting the goal challenge you without defeating you?
R ealistic
The goal must be one that you are willing and able to work towards, they can be high and realistic. Often, the higher the goal, the higher the motivation, the smaller goals along the way to this high goal are often the more difficult to put into action.
What I the reason or purpose of accomplishing the goal? What is the result?
T imely
The goal should be attached to a time frame, otherwise there is no accountability. If you believe you can do it, or think back to a time you have done it in the past, this will help you set a realistic goal.
If you have a larger goal, write down the smaller steps along the way you’ll need to achieve by a certain time to make the goal more achievable.
What is the completion date and does it have a realistic sense of urgency?
EXAMPLES
Starting next Monday, I will leave work by 6pm every night
Or
I am going to do three 30 minute walks every week, starting for this Saturday
S – how many walks and how many times a week
M – Use a diary to tick off when walks are accomplished
A – Can be worked into daily routine
R – Doesn’t require high level of fitness to achieve
T – Starting form this Saturday and continuing from there, until reassess in next quarter
Then think of any potential challenges, obstacles – lack of time and / or motivation.
Are they really obstacles or just excuses that could be overcome with some effort and organising?
Schedule in time and prioritise yourself!
Vary the walking routes to keep it interesting or recruit a partner for support.
Add some positive self-talk or affirmations.
If you need help or guidance with this, the Naturopaths at Vibe Natural Health in Brisbane can help. We treat holistically, addressing the your physical and emotional health by helping with “Lifestyle advice.” This involves helping to keep you on track and hold you accountable for your actions.
Our Naturopaths will help you achieve greater work life balance with a variety of tools:
- Are your work hours productive? We help improve concentration and stamina.
- Are you stressed, anxious, depressed? We help improve your mood via diet, exercise, referral to our life coach and blood tests for nutrient and hormone imbalance that affect mood.
- Addiction : are you stuck in bad habits such as emotional eating, too much alcohol, sugar cravings, smoking etc? We support the biochemical pathways that are involved in addictive behaviours with herbs and nutrients that boost the hormones that help break addiction.
- Low energy – we test for nutrient deficiencies and hormone imbalances such as adrenal fatigue which zap your energy. Enjoying life and feeling balanced is very hard without good energy levels.
- Insomnia or lack of quality sleep – will affect your motivation and ability to achieve your goals. Herbs and nutrition can easily break the pattern of poor sleep.
- Weight Loss – a nutritional assessment will help you find the foods that best work for your body. Food intolerances can affect your weight and your energy – we can test for these.
If you’d like to find out more about how our Naturopaths at Vibe Natural Health in Brisbane can help you set goals to achieve greater work/life balance click here.
Please feel free to call for a free 5 minute chat or call reception on 3366 7970 to book a full consultation.
