Searching for work/life balance? Start with these simple strategies.

Follow these simple strategies to help you achieve work/life balance through self-care.

• Feeling stretched, like you have no time for yourself? Schedule time with friends or time for self-care like you would a meeting or an important work task.

• Embrace the imbalance. Rather than putting pressure on yourself to be perfect and balance everything, accept that feeling imbalanced is more realistic. Not all domains of life need to be equally proportioned.
• Take a big picture approach as opposed to focusing on your daily reality. According to Brad Stulberg, co-author of the Passion Paradox, life may be more like seasons. There are seasons of certain kinds of activity based on where we are in life, like starting a family, going back to school, or retiring, that bring about their own energy. Take comfort in knowing that, like the seasons, our situation in life changes - nothing is static.
• Working remotely stops natural interactions we would usually have at the office such as while walking by a person’s desk or chatting to someone in an elevator. These interactions are important as they can boost productivity and help to manage stress. If you enjoy social connection and feel it’s a tool that energizes you, try and incorporate it into your day by signing up for a team event like UBC Staff and Faculty Sports Week or by booking 30-minute Zoom lunches with co-workers or friends.
• If you are a leader, help your employees achieve work-life balance by being a role model. Leave or signal leaving work on time and remind employees to take time off work when they need it.