Being happier by leaving work at the office is probably one of the foremost ways we can help ourselves achieve balance in our lives. There seems to be a fine line we as individuals have to establish between where work ends and our own personal lives begin. As someone with a large family that has just begun to work again, I’ve had to implement some strategies in this regard, to help me gain a sense of peace when I’m having personal time with family or otherwise. Here are a few tools I use to leave work at the office and maintain a life-work balance..
Mindfulness
Using mindfulness (staying in the present moment) is probably one of the most helpful things I’ve been able to practice for myself and my family. When I’m with my family, making a conscious effort to experience the feeling and energy and emotions of the moment is among one of the most important things I can do for myself. It takes mental effort to do this, but the good thing about it is once you’ve done it for a while, it becomes easier. Our minds so easily move about from here to there touching on the many aspects of our lives. This strategy can help to alleviate that unhealthy practice over time.
Mental Cues
Tying in to the mindfulness tactic suggested first in this article, it also helps to give yourself mental cues. Telling yourself short phrases or words can get you mentally back on track to the present moment. One of the easiest ways I’ve learned to do this from my involvement with meditation is to tell myself the word “thinking.” When I’m engaged in meditation, and my mind wanders into something it shouldn’t, I say the word “thinking” to myself and I become re-focused into the moment. This has been one of the most valuable ways I’ve found in achieving balance and harmony.
Me Time
I personally have seen the value in creating some “me” time for myself, wherein I engage in something I enjoy for a designated period of time. I found that when I allow myself to experience some of the things I enjoy, I’m happier in general, which in turn generates a sense of well being and balance in my life. You’re the most important person you have, and making sure you enjoy life is important to your own inner harmony.
Exercise
You can help to leave work at the office by making time to exercise. This is a fabulous way to keep yourself feeling refreshed, happy and mentally fit. It also creates an avenue for you to release stress from your work life, to further build on the balance you’re trying to achieve. It’s important, though, to choose an exercise activity that you enjoy, so that you’ll stick to it and want to do it regularly. In this way you’ll look forward to your time away from work and be more mentally focused on other interests.
We can leave work at the office and find ourselves happier as a result. We just need to be aware of the proper tools to use on a daily basis to reach that goal. Hopefully you have a good start with these suggestions.
