Work-Life Balance: Let's Try to Achieve it!

Balance is not a rigid concept. It is about finding satisfaction, happiness, and calmness in our lives. It is not something we achieve once and then forget about. It is a dynamic state that evolves with us. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to balance, and that is okay. What matters is finding what works for you.

Many of us have experienced the difficulties of balancing work and life, a challenge that can disrupt family life. This struggle is particularly important for full-time working women in companies, who often face a “second full-time job” when they return home.

Here are a few practical steps we can all take to loosen the grip that stress has on us and regain balance in our lives:

1. Get quality sleep. When you are well-rested, it is easier to cope with both business and personal obligations.

2. Learn to say “NO.” If you are over-scheduled with activities (personal or business), learn to say “NO.”

3. Find a regular physical activity and enjoy it. Aside from its well-known physical benefits, regular exercise reduces stress, depression, and anxiety, and enables people to better cope with both business and private obligations. It should be an activity you truly enjoy. For example, I love swimming.

4. A healthy diet is a powerful tool. Eating a balanced and healthy diet is key to helping our bodies manage the physiological changes caused by stress. If I overeat during the day, I feel sluggish and unable to cope with my responsibilities. If I go to the other extreme and skip a meal, I do not have enough energy for my family or work. To balance work and private life, we must also maintain balance in our diet.

5. Use a prioritized to-do list to manage tasks effectively.

6. Take well-timed breaks during your working day.

Scientists claim that our brains employ two modes of thinking: focused and diffuse. The focused mode is related to the learning process. When operating in diffuse mode, our brain is more relaxed, and our mind is free to wander.

When you are too focused on a work problem and feeling tired, it is better to take a break. Especially when you have a problem to solve, try letting your brain wander to find a solution. For example, the best ideas come to me when I am relaxed and drinking my morning coffee.

7. Conversation and asking for help are very important. Through conversations with colleagues at work, you can gain ideas, share experiences, receive help, and relax. The same is true in your private life. Communication is the key. You cannot do it all by yourself. Ask for help from family members with your daily family obligations.