What Advice Would You Give to a Patient Struggling With Work-Life Balance?
Psychologist Brief
What Advice Would You Give to a Patient Struggling With Work-Life Balance?
In our quest to uncover practical advice for achieving work-life balance, we've gathered wisdom from seasoned mental health professionals. From becoming comfortable with boundaries to setting a defined work area and hours, here are four invaluable strategies shared by psychologists and therapists.
- Become Comfortable with Setting Boundaries
- Practice Self-Care Regularly
- Make Balance a Lifestyle Choice
- Set Defined Work Area and Hours
Become Comfortable with Setting Boundaries
The most important way to preserve work-life balance is to become comfortable with setting boundaries at work and at home. Unfortunately, people become concerned that others will 'be mad' if they do so, and they are reluctant to follow through. An easy way to begin is to respond to a request by saying, 'Let me check my schedule and get back to you.' This gives you the time to take a step back and see if you really have the time and/or bandwidth to follow through. It then becomes much easier to go back and respond that your schedule doesn't allow for anything additional at this time.
Practice Self-Care Regularly
As a relationship trauma therapist, I know the importance of practicing self-care and having a work-life balance. If I don't practice self-care and nurture myself, then I cannot show up as my best self for my clients. As a therapist, I strive to practice what I preach, so I know that to be the best at my job, I HAVE to make time for myself and to fill up my water cup. You can't fill anyone else's cup if yours is empty, right?
Make Balance a Lifestyle Choice
As a mental health clinician, I've certainly experienced work-life balance challenges. However, self-care is a positive habit that has significantly improved my overall well-being. It can be the same for you, too!
Although our life cycle is a recurring effect of the struggle for balance between career, family, and pleasure, work-life balance is realistic and attainable. When individuals exude a healthy balance of the three, they experience improved mood, increased productivity and energy, and satisfaction, resulting in a positive lifestyle.
To achieve work-life balance, you must want it and prioritize it in your life. It is easy to make excuses, especially when having busy or chaotic work schedules. My advice is to prioritize self-care because it is critical for emotional, psychological, physical, and spiritual well-being. When you prioritize yourself first, you will find the importance of balance and implement it in your life.
Set Defined Work Area and Hours
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I often advise clients struggling with work-life balance to set clear boundaries. It's crucial to physically and mentally separate work from personal life, especially if you're working from home. Define your work area and stick to specific work hours. After work, turn off notifications and shift your focus to personal activities.
Communicate these boundaries to your colleagues and family to manage expectations and reduce the pressure to be always available. Also, ensure you schedule regular time for activities that relax and rejuvenate you. This approach helps maintain mental health and improve overall life satisfaction.
