Even if you’re not a New Yorker, it’s the modern world, and the pace of life is hectic. Family, friends, work and social obligations can keep you busy around the clock. But if you feel exhausted or at your wit’s end, you’re compromising your health, shortening your enjoyment, and not doing anyone or anything, least of all yourself, a service. Here are 7 steps to making your work/life balance a priority this year:
SCHEDULE A MORNING RITUAL THAT YOU OWN ALONE. Sometimes this means waking before your wife, husband or the kids, but whether it’s that shower in peace or that cup of coffee on the couch (minus the electronics!), time spent waking in peace is good for your focus and clarity throughout the rest of the day. You wouldn’t let your boss or a family member down by not honoring a commitment. Make a commitment to yourself. And keep it.
GET AT LEAST 8 HOURS OF SLEEP PER NIGHT. Work will still be there tomorrow. And you’ll get it done even faster if you’ve slept enough and are more alert. So set a bedtime for yourself and stick to it.
DO THE HARDEST TASK OF YOUR DAY FIRST. We love to push off the hard thing until later. But later usually means we have less brain power and energy. Let’s face it, returning emails at the end of the day usually requires far less focus than creating a presentation, brainstorming new ideas, or drafting that agreement. Get it out of the way first, breathe a sigh of relief, and move forward. You’ll be surprised at how much lighter you feel and how much more quickly you can cross items off your to do list!
SPEND A WEEK LOGGING YOUR TIME. Spend one week charting exactly how you spend your time so you can better assess where it’s wasted or not being used efficiently. We can always make more time.
SET TECHNOLOGY BOUNDARIES. Being glued to your phone or computer 24/7 isn’t healthy for you or your relationships. Check the phone at the door when you go home, or stop returning messages in the last hour before bed. Always put the technology away during mealtime, and focus on the food you are eating to nourish your body and the people with whom you are dining.
SCHEDULE A VACATION. Don’t be a hero. Look at Europe – they basically take off the entire month of August! Down time is critical to your health. Beach weekends, ski weekends, dream trips to Hawaii, spa weekends, retreat weekends…..they’re all important. In down time, your brain can think more creatively and lead you to interesting life and work possibilities.
GET COMFORTABLE SAYING “NO.” As we get older, how we spend our time and who we spend our time with becomes increasingly more valuable. Don’t be afraid to say “no” to something or someone that isn’t in line with your personal goals. There’s always a way to say “no” graciously.
DASHA® is a luxury lifestyle brand and New York City-based wellness center created to offer a truly holistic approach to wellness. To learn more, visit dashawellness.com.
