Tips on how to Balance Work and Home Life
4 Tips on how to Balance Work and Home Life
Having a good balance in your life is key to your mental, physical, and spiritual happiness.
The Refine you program
Provides a customized nutrition plan and workouts with daily accountability to keep you on track.
Balance seems like it should be simple, however, most people feel it is impossible. Here are some tips on how to maintain a healthy balance in your life.
Tips on how to maintain a healthy balance in life...
You must make yourself a priority.
If you take care of your physical and mental well-being, you will be able to take care of everyone and everything else in your life. Your mental and physical health should be at the top of the list. If you take care of your physical health this can have a positive impact on your mental health and vice versa. Eating healthy, getting enough sleep, exercising, and maintaining a healthy body composition is important to your overall health.
Do you feel like you are always searching for motivation? You will only find it if your purpose is stronger than your excuses. Instead of searching for motivation, determine your why. Time is our most precious commodity. The excuse that I hear most is "I am too busy" to exercise, or “I am too busy” to cook healthy meals. It is just a matter of priorities. Everyone is busy. If you take 2 people who have the exact same schedules and responsibilities in life and one person makes it a priority, it will happen.
Take some time every day to turn everything off and focus on you and your physical and mental well-being. Be sure to “fill your cup” with what you need. This isn’t selfish… It’s necessary!
2. Learn how to say "no."
This is a hard one for most people. Time is your most valuable commodity. With all that is going on in your life, you can't do it all, all the time. Ask yourself if it is essential? Can it wait? Will this add value to your life? Are you saying yes just because you have a fear of missing out? Ask yourself these questions to evaluate the situation to guide you.
3. Maintain healthy relationships.
Focus on relationships that fill you instead of those that deplete you. Avoid spending time with those people who are always negative, complain, and make you feel exhausted. Cut out the toxic people in your life, if you can. Schedule time with those who fill you with positive energy, those who support you, and those you enjoy spending time with.
4. Have fun.
This has been especially hard during the past year for a lot of people. We have had to get creative on different ways to see people and go places. A good belly laugh is the best medicine. Have a night out with friends, have a dance party with your kids, or play a silly game. Fun doesn’t have to include an elaborate plan and can be spur of the moment.
Here's a bit about me and how I implement these strategies in my life...
I have been married for 17 years and we are raising 2 busy kiddos ages 8 and 10. In addition to caring for my own household, I am caring for elderly parents.
I am a full time practicing physician assistant in orthopedic surgery and I am a clinical preceptor for the Butler University PA Program. I am also a certified nutritionist, personal trainer, and created a company a few years ago called Refine YOU to help people reach their health and fitness goals. I run The Refine YOU Program about every 8 weeks. I personally customize each person's nutrition and fitness program and provide daily accountability and support to my clients. In addition to Refine YOU and The Refine YOU Program, I maintain my own website and health and wellness blog.
Now you may be asking, "how do you do all of this and maintain balance in your life?" It changes minute by minute and it isn't always easy, but here is how I personally implement these strategies in my life...
I prioritize.
When there is a lot to do, I have to remind myself what is on the top of the priority list. This helps me when I am feeling like it ALL has to be done right now. If the task is time sensitive and needs to be completed that day or the next day, that task gets put before things that are not due for a week.
I make my health a priority. I practice what I preach. I live The Refine YOU Program as a lifestyle. My workouts and the foods that I eat are important to me for my mental, spiritual, and physical health. I get rejuvenated after a workout and eating healthy foods gives me the energy that I need. At the beginning of each week I decide which 5 days I will exercise and when. Previously, I was attending classes ALL the time and work my entire day around that. This wasn't healthy for me or the best use of my time. I had to let go of that. I now workout when it works for me, without depending on a classes and I have found that I save a lot of time and still get effective workouts at home. I spend about an hour on the weekends to meal prep. This sounds daunting to most people, but it actually saves time in the long run. Cooking once, in bulk for the week actually saves time when you take into account prep and clean up. This ensures that I have healthy foods for me and my family to eat during the week for lunches and dinners. This is key to eating healthy when you are busy.
I make lists.
I make lists all day every day. This is how I stay on track. I have a master list of EVERYTHING that needs to be done at the front of my notebook. Every day I create a new page with that date and a list of things to do in priority. Of course, things pop up and things need to be shifted, but this keeps me on track.
I multi-task.
This is how I get it done! I figure out what few things I can do at the same time. I know that if I need to do laundry, prep some food, and spend time with the kids, I plan to multi task these items. I will start a load of laundry, prep a dish and put it in the oven. While the laundry is going and the food is cooking, I get a board game out and play with the kids (3 things going at the same time).
I maintain relationships.
I make it a goal to turn it off once I pick up my kids. I only get a limited amount of time with them each day so I cherish the time with them in the evenings. Once I put them to bed, my work begins again. I also enjoy quiet time with my husband at the end of the day recapping the day's activities and what is on tap for the following day.
I have alone time.
I cherish my alone time when I am doing my workouts. In the evening I like to take a long hot shower and listen to an audio book. Before bed I write in my gratitude journal and reflect on what I am grateful for each day.
While it is not always perfect, I try to maintain the appropriate balance with my health, family, and work.
Never be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
I created Refine YOU and The Refine YOU Program to help you find the right balance... Mind, Body, and Spirit.
I feel a customized approach to nutrition and workouts is important. The Refine YOU Program helps clients maintain a healthy, positive mindset in their health journey, instead of "dieting." The program a customized nutrition and workout plan that fits each client’s goals and lifestyle. It is flexible to fit busy lifestyles and teaches how to choose right foods that are enjoyable for each person and fits their tastes. It is a jump start to a lifestyle change. If you are having a hard time making your health a priority, Refine YOU would love to help you be the healthiest YOU possible. Mind, Body, and Spirit.
