With bills to pay and lifestyles to fund, most of us are part of the employed masses.
Whether work comes by clocking in at an office for a 9 to 5 job, working remotely, bartending, taking gigs, or serving in the food industry, the types of jobs we can do are endless, making it imperative that we also make time for ourselves and our loved ones.
Growing up, my parents worked during the day and were home in the evenings. In general, there was not a lot of work talk at home. Maybe a little venting right when my parents walked through the door, but it did not take over our home life. As I can recall, work and home seemed to be pretty well separated while growing up in the 80s and 90s.
Currently, I work remotely from home as my main income source, making it difficult not to blur the lines between work and home. While I have learned to set some boundaries, I have noticed that those boundaries have slipped as the years have gone on. Visiting with behavioral health professional Ron Haugen, DNP, CNP, CNS from Artesia General Hospital has given me the opportunity to re-evaluate what I am doing and take corrective measures to dissipate the burnout that I feel is approaching. Haugen advises that “It is important to set clear boundaries between work and your personal life because it can reduce stress and make you more efficient at work. This can lead to less burnout and more time to relax and address any other priorities you have.”
Haugen continued by saying, “Every employer will expect 100% from you during your scheduled working hours. So, it is important that you balance that focused time with rest and recharge. Without it, your stress level will increase, and can lead to both mental and physical ailments that can negatively impact your overall life.”
This statement reminded me of a Mind CTRL session, a mental health workshop on the campus of Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) with Honor Medina, MFT. During this session, she discussed how stress can build up in certain areas of the body, and lead to a physical ailment when there is not actually anything wrong. So, when something starts to hurt for no apparent reason, take note of what is going on in life and adjust your life accordingly.
Being aware of these truths and implementing a few simple changes can make a big impact. Whether you work from home or travel to work, read on for some tips to help keep the work-life boundaries in place, improve mental and physical health, and enjoy your time away from work.
Improving Work-Life Balance
- Clearly identify your priorities.
- Communicate expectations and boundaries with your boss, colleagues, clients, and family.
- Have a designated work space, and use separate accounts and devices for work.
- Stick to a work schedule with a set starting and ending time. Switch off and disconnect.
- Avoid reading messages in bed.
- Make time for friends and family as isolation may be problematic.
- Maintain healthy habits like eating a nutritious diet, regular exercise, avoiding excessive alcohol use, and getting regular sleep.
- Schedule time for housework.
- Seek out professional help if physical or mental health concerns arise.
- Review and adjust.
Benefits of Disconnecting
- Avoid burnout.
- Improved efficiency by sticking to a routine and staying organized.
- Increased creativity and engagement.
- Better physical and mental health.
- Strengthened relationships.
Sources
- Crowther, Evan. “How to Separate Work Life from Home Life.” Connecteam, 1 June 2022, connecteam.com/work-life-balance-from-home/. Accessed 31 July 2023.
- Feldmann, John. “Council Post: The Importance of Separating Work and Personal Life in a Remote Environment.” Forbes, 18 Jan. 2022, www.forbes.com/sites/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2022/01/18/the-importance-of-separating-work-and-personal-life-in-a-remote-environment/?sh=f6fe04146c8c. Accessed 31 July 2023.
- Indeed Editorial Team. “16 Ways to Set Healthy Boundaries at Work.” Indeed Career Guide, 10 Mar. 2023, www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/boundaries-at-work.
- The Linked In Team. “How Do You Set Healthy Boundaries between Work and Life?” www.linkedin.com, 25 July 2023, www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-do-you-set-healthy-boundaries-between-work-life. Accessed 31 July 2023.
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2022/01/18/the-importance-of-separating-work-and-personal-life-in-a-remote-environment/?sh=f6fe04146c8c
Ron Haugen
Ron Haugen, DNP, CNP, CNS received his Doctorate in Nursing Practice in Forensics from the University of Tennessee. He received both his Master of Science Degree and his Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from New Mexico State University. Dr. Haugen works for Artesia General Hospital in both Carlsbad and Artesia in the Behavioral Health Department. He sees adults and children aged 14 and older. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and playing the drums.
Michele Robertson
There are many facets to what makes me who I am. Enjoying time in nature while practicing “leave no trace” principles and doing interesting, educational, and cultural activities with my kids tops the list of my favorite things. I’m also a community advocate and volunteer, doing what I can to make a positive impact.
