While working and studying are important to keep you active both physically and mentally, keeping an eye on your social life will make you release all the stress your responsibilities bring.
Why is keeping a work-school-social life balance important?
To talk about the importance of this balance, we’ve gathered some facts mentioned by Dr. Liji Thomas.
When satisfying the work-school-life balance, you can come across certain benefits such as higher productivity, higher motivation to work, mental health improvement, and better personal relationships, among others. If this balance is not achieved, there will be severe consequences like poor satisfaction, unproductivity, problematic behavior, mental stress, and more.
Contrary to popular belief, having a work-school-life balance does not equal giving the same amount of time to each area, to achieve said balance, you have to grant the amount of time that makes you feel at ease.
Tips to achieve the work-school-life balance.
Now that you know how important it is to give each area some time, it’s time for you to start working on that balance. If you’re feeling lost when it comes to starting, here are a few tips that might come in handy.
- Set timers. Establishing certain times to dedicate to each area will help you not overwhelm yourself with too much work or study and not leave your responsibilities unattended.
- Separate your home from your work. Working from home has many, many perks, however, sometimes it makes it difficult to put an end to your work shift. If you work remotely, make sure to have your own work space, and if it’s not possible, try to work at a nice cafe you like every once in a while.
- Only work during your shift. We all had that annoying boss who asked us to do things outside of our work hours and, while sometimes the affair needs to be attended, most times it can wait until your next shift. Setting these limits will help you prevent stress.
- Organize at least one plan with friends/family per week. Even if it’s a video call, talking and just hanging out with someone you’re comfortable with will help you release all the stress caused by your obligations.
- Ask for help. People tend to be very proud and avoid seeking help, however, this just makes things harder for everyone since it will take longer to achieve your goals and your tasks. I promise, needing a hand from time to time is no sign of weakness.
- Create a to-do list. This simple chore will help you have a more organized life and will bring you joy and a sense of pride every time you check one item.
While being a full-time student and working at the same time definitely makes life harder, it doesn’t mean it has to be life-draining. Make yourself your own priority and you will see, it pays off.