June 2015: 10 Ways to Achieve Balance

By Benefits Newsletter

10 Ways to Achieve Balance

Life can be a juggling act. Work, family and personal needs compete for your time and attention, but a sense of balance can help you create a rich and varied life. Here are some ways to help you achieve balance:

At Home

  1. Spend time with your children. Strengthen your children’s self-esteem and build a positive relationship that will last a lifetime by spending as much time with them as you can.
  2. Make meal times special. Eat dinner together as a family several times a week. Make the dinner table a place for family members to share news and excitement. Serve healthy meals that everyone enjoys.
  3. Hold family meetings. Use regular meetings to assign household chores and to discuss goals, problems and family events.
  4. Have fun with your family. Plan fun family activities. Exercise together; go on bike rides, hikes or day trips to relaxing places. Join fundraising walks and fun runs.

At Work

  1. Plan, prioritize and organize your work life. Make long and short range plans for individual projects. Prioritize each day’s tasks, listing the most important jobs first. Set a deadline for each task so you can complete the project on time.
  1. Use your lunch hour. Write a letter, pick up some groceries or make personal phone calls. Schedule a doctor appointment, read a book or think of ways to improve your work-family balance while you rest.
  2. Sharpen your communication skills. You’ll have fewer problems at work – and at home – if you can express yourself clearly and understand others. Talk with your supervisor if you’re having any problems at work.

Leisure Time

  1. Build regular exercise into your routine. Join a health center or explore other options for regular exercise. Put on the calendar the time you’ve committed to exercise. Make “exercise dates” with a friend to help build commitment and fun into your workout.
  2. Take mini-vacations. A day trip to the country or a recreational area can add variety and relaxation to your life at little or no cost.
  3. Get involved in your community. Coach your child’s soccer team. Give a crafts demonstration for the local scouting group. Volunteer for a special project at your place of worship.

If home or work is overwhelming, maybe talking to someone can help. Contact the EAP today to speak confidentially to a counselor at no cost to you. Call 1-877-MyTHRLink (1-877-698-4754) prompt 4, then 4.