Read our top tips
for getting your work and home life stress-free and back on the right track.
Look
after your health
Your health should always be your number one priority. If you're not in top
shape both mentally and physically, it will affect all areas of your life.
Stress is one of the biggest causes of poor health. To combat this, get enough
sleep, eat regularly and choose healthy options, take time out for relaxation,
and exercise at least three times a week.
Take
time out for yourself
As much as your work and family takes priority in your life, it's important
that you schedule "me time". Taking just one hour, once a week to do
something for yourself can do wonders for your wellbeing — and your
relationships and career will benefit too.
It doesn't need
to be a visit to a day spa (although that's a great idea!) — take a novel to
the park and enjoy the outdoors, play a round of golf, visit the gym or go for
a long, relaxing walk ... just make sure you get away from it all and give your
mind a chance to wander.
Manage your time
Learn how to use your time more effectively — both at work and home. Poor time
management can result in a loss of hours and contribute greatly to your stress
levels. Enrol in a time management course or implement some simple time
management techniques:
- create to-do lists and prioritize tasks,
- avoid time wasters like surfing the Web and e-mail,
- share the load (both at work and home wherever you can),
- set yourself time limits and boundaries.
Learn to say "no"
Taking on too many tasks can be to your detriment. Learn to say no to things
when there's too much on your plate. This applies to both work and personal
events/tasks. Rather than feeling guilty, you'll learn that saying
"no" can be really empowering.
Separate work and family life
Australia may be a laid-back nation but as workers, we are working longer and
longer hours. And many of us are "addicted to work" and failing to
separate our working life from our family life. Is this you?
Learn to turn off
the laptop after hours and resist checking your e-mails at all hours of the day
and night. Ideally the minute you leave the office, you should leave your
working life behind. For many this isn't possible, but be sure to give yourself
plenty of "unplugged" time during your weekends and nights — that
means no laptop, no e-mail and no mobile phone.
Find a flexible employer
Searching for a new position? More and more employers these days are catering
for a more flexible workplace. Look for options like flexible hours, working
from home, job sharing, onsite childcare facilities and family-friendly
offices.
Use up your annual leave
Most of us are allowed four weeks or more annual leave a year, but rarely take
it. Remember, it's there for a reason — to provide you with some much needed
R&R.
Take a career break
If work's getting too much and your health's really suffering, taking time out
to think about your career and what really matters in your life could be the
perfect solution. Use up any outstanding annual leave or inquire about leave
without pay. Take a short sabbatical and use the time wisely to evaluate your
goals and life plan.
Karilyn Lesassier Van Oosten serves as Director of Strategic Alliances at Chamberlain College of Nursing. In this role she is responsible for leading the strategic direction of the healthcare and clinical development teams and expanding educational opportunities. Van Oosten has a strong background in business development with more than 10 years of experience developing business alliances for nursing education institutions, previously service as senior director of enrollment and director of strategic business alliances in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Grand Canyon University Phoenix.
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