Work and family life

WORK AND FAMILY LIFE
Balancing work and family life is one of the most common sources of stress for working adults. In this productivity-driven society that we are living in, more and more people are finding it hard to adequately fulfill their roles both at home and at the workplace.More often than not, people cannot find a point of balance between their careers and their families, and one is given more priority than the other. This behavior has been associated with several dysfunctional outcomes—strained familial relationships, inefficiency at work, and poor physical and mental health.Hence, individuals need to learn and work on balancing work and family life. ^[1] The idea may seem daunting, but it is possible if you take the time and care to make it a priority.
10 Needed Steps to Balancing Work and Family
1. Get Rid of Stress
Clarity and peace of mind are essential in balancing. Our minds get clogged with stress hormones with the constant hustle and bustle of the day. Coming home and indulging yourself in activities to lower stress will help you clear your mind and relax your body.
When you are relaxed and happy, you will be refreshed to work and willing to give time to your loved ones at home.
2. Make Balance a Priority
Achieving work life balance, whether you work full-time or part-time, is a long and often difficult process. If you do not make the conscious decision to achieve balance, you will likely fail along the way. I have learned through my experience that it is very important to provide yourself with the opportunity for balance.
For instance, you need to find a job that is challenging but not overwhelming; also, carefully think about how big of a family you can responsibly raise at the moment. By making wise decisions on the most important matters in your life, attaining balance won’t be a difficult thing.
If you are already settled into a career and have a growing family, you can still make small changes to help you achieve balance. This could include requesting more flexible work hours, reorganizing the responsibilities you share at home, or bringing in trusted friends and family to help pick up the slack.
3. Strengthen Your Bond with Family
Building strong communication with your family members is imperative in bringing a work-life balance. Having strong familial bonds promotes trust, understanding, and support.
Sharing your work life with your family and letting them know your work struggles can help them understand your perspective. If they know your work problems, they will be less demanding and more supportive of you.