TIPPING THE SCALES
If reading the words “work/life balance” makes you cringe, you probably don’t have it. Most of us don’t. With a 24/7 work culture complete with cell phones constantly in hand, work tends to creep into every part of our lives. That is especially true for those in the senior living industry due to the emotional component of our work. Here are some suggestions from our LeaderStat healthcare recruiters for finding balance.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Tell me if you’ve heard this one before: “Eat lots of vegetables, get regular exercise, drink 60 ounces of water, and get 7-8 hours of sleep every day.” There’s a reason you hear this advice often and consistently. It works. Do it for a week and you will notice a positive change in your focus, mood, and energy level (not to mention your health). People in the senior living industry are naturally ‘givers,’ but it is very easy to give so much of yourself at work you’ve got nothing left when you get home. Take care of yourself first, then you can take care of others.
WHEREVER YOU GO, THERE YOU ARE
With the ability to be contacted at any moment by text, email or call, we are conditioned to regard a state of distraction as the norm. Fight it. Be present. If you’re at home, be at home – focus on what’s in front of you, and leave the work worries at work, and vice versa. Granted, this is easier said than done, but if you are taking care of yourself (see above), and taking time for yourself (see below), you can learn to control and sharpen your focus to the now. Meditation can be a powerful tool here – it is essentially exercise for the mind. Even a few minutes per day can help you control your thoughts, rather than have your thoughts control you.
PENCIL YOU IN
You wouldn’t blow off a meeting with your supervisor because you’re busy – approach your personal time the same way. Time with family, with friends, alone; exercise, massage, read – pick what works for you, commit to it, and focus on it (i.e. turn off your phone and don’t check your email - don’t worry, this will be easy thanks to all those vegetables and meditation sessions we mentioned above).
In most current workplace cultures, LeaderStat included, work/life balance will not come just by wishing for it. The scale will always tip toward work unless we put in some effort to tip it back. Find that work/life balance. We promise it will be worth the effort.