Get Your Zen On: How Women Can Create a More Harmonious Work-Life Balance

In honor of Women’s History Month, docstrats is featuring a two-part series on women’s wellness.?In Part 1 of this series, we look at how women can create a better work-life balance.?In Part 2, we’ll investigate why women are increasingly looking to freelancing as a way to restore a more harmonious lifestyle.

When’s the last time anybody asked a man about his work-life balance?

Let’s face it, in 2022 — sixty years after American women first entered the workforce en masse — the bulk of homecare still falls on women.?In fact, a recent analysis found that “although gender equality is increasingly promoted both in the workplace and in society, and women have now fully entered the workforce,” women spend more hours on family activities than men even though the hours the two groups spend on work activities is largely the same.

But whether you’re living with family, roommates, or by yourself, learning to balance your work and your life is essential.?

Here's why.

Poor work-life balance can lead to:

· High-stress levels

·???????Emotional and physical exhaustion

·???????Increased absences

·???????Decreased productivity

·???????Strained relationships.

So, how you can find more harmony in your life?

1. Strive for a Work Situation You Love

As Mark Twain famously said, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”?And while it’s true that the realities of economics mean not everyone can support themselves on passion alone, finding a job you enjoy is a must when it comes to work-life balance.

If you’re not currently working the job of your dreams (or haven’t even figured out what the job of your dreams is), here are some tips that will help you begin your transition.?

You should:

·???????Consider what work you’d do even if you didn’t get paid.?What do you love to do in your free time??What activities can you get lost in??Finding flow is about listening to your inner voice and letting it guide you toward the things that are meaningful to you.

·???????Envision your ideal work environment.?Introvert??Extrovert??A little of both??Think about what your ideal work environment would be.?What type of setting feels most authentic??That’s the environment for you.

·???????Talk to a recruiter.?When in doubt, consult a professional.?There are more jobs out there for someone with your qualifications than you know.?Speaking with a career counselor or recruiter can help you find your ideal fit.

·???????Take a class.?The abundance of both degree and certificate programs available online means it’s never too late to learn.?Taking on a new skill might just be the first step in landing your dream job — and you can do it from the comfort of your own home!

·???????Network.?Connect with others in your ideal field on LinkedIn or Facebook. Consider joining a professional group or volunteering for a non-profit. Post your resume on job search websites like Indeed and let the jobs come to you.?You never know what opportunities might be out there just waiting for you!

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2. Practice self-care

Self-care means more than bubble baths and spa days.?It means taking care of yourself—something women often struggle with.?Between the job and household responsibilities, family, and friends, making time for themselves is often the last thing women do. But self-care should be your number one priority.

Self-care can:

·???????Improve your mood.

·???????Reduce stress and anxiety.

·???????Boost your immune system.

·???????Improve your relationships.

Ways to provide self-care.

Self-care can be as simple as going to bed at a reasonable hour, taking the time to cook yourself a healthy meal, or spending time in nature.?But self-care can also manifest in ways you may not always think of.?Self-care can also mean:

Staying connected — mind, body, and spirit — by:?

• Practicing relaxing activities (like walking in nature, meditation, or yoga).
• Spending time with the people who support you emotionally.?
• Asking for help when you need it.
• Acknowledging your feelings.
• Lowering your expectations.
• Accepting less than perfection — in both yourself and others.
• Forgiving yourself when you make a mistake.

3. Set boundaries

Knowing how to set — and maintain — boundaries is the cornerstone of a healthy work-life balance.?With the number of women working remotely at an all-time high, the boundaries between work life and home life are becoming increasingly blurred.?

Here’s how to keep the two distinct.

·???????Communicate. Knowing how to communicate your needs clearly and assertively is an important aspect of work-life balance. Determine what you can and can’t do —both at work and at home —and then stick to it. Establishing clear boundaries lessens the chance that you’ll become overwhelmed or burned out.

·???????Say “No” when you need to.?Learning to say “no” frees you up to prioritize your time as you see fit.?Whether it’s taking time for self-care, fulfilling a family responsibility, or getting a work project done on a schedule that is right for you, saying “no” to things you don’t value allows you to use your resources in a way that feels authentic.

·???????Create an actual — physical — boundary.?Designating an area in your home used exclusively for work signals a clear delineation between “work-time” and “me-time.” The space doesn’t have to be large or luxurious, but it does have to be exclusive, uncluttered, and organized. And it should be the only place you work.?Having a physical boundary helps create a mental boundary — this is the place I work; this is the place I play.

·???????Schedule time — for yourself.?Whether it’s regularly scheduled breaks, a designated lunch hour, an after-work walk, a nightly journaling session, or a weekly happy hour with friends, schedule time both daily and weekly to do things that replenish you.?Participating in activities you enjoy, and which fulfill you is integral to creating a harmonious work-life balance. The better you treat yourself, the better you’ll perform at your job.

And the better you’ll live your life.

A better company, a better experience.?Since 1981, docstrats has been creating a company employees want to work for.?We value our employees and strive to foster the atmosphere of community, support, and transparency that contributes to overall wellness and optimal work-life balance.

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Contact | docstrats,?and let us know?how we can help you with your professional goals.????

?docstrats.?Nice people working with nice people.

It really is as simple as that.