How to Be Balanced at Work

By Michael at 8:14 AM on January 12, 2010

Those of us who were not so fortunate as to be born into money have to work for a living. Sometimes, while working, we will be asked to do things we would rather not do, whether it be physical labor or an act with which we have moral dilemmas. Similarly, work is a place to get things done, rather than to socialize or take a break. Doing so may get one reprimanded or fired. So can you balance your health and sanity with your progress at work without getting into trouble?

Take a Break

Every hour, half-hour, or otherwise, stand up and take a few deep breaths. Let your mind and body refresh – hit the reset button on your body. Think of it as a cleansing, relaxing period to allow more work to get done in the near future. This is your time.

If you get into trouble for this, try doing it in the bathroom, or walk a memo or something similar to another person’s office on the other side of the building. Be ready to explain that you need to refresh your mind or your work will suffer. Any good boss will understand, and any bad boss will be too afraid to lose another employee.

Leave it at Work

Leave work where work belongs. Do not take a work computer home to finish a project overnight. Just as it is not okay to take your children in for a visit, it is similarly wrong to make your family or personal space suffer because of an unproductive day. Home is where you recharge – not where you catch up.

Talk to Others

As coworkers, you share common bonds with many of the people around you. You both experience the same things day after day, although probably with a different perception. Learn who your coworkers are and be sure to keep yourself active throughout the day. Nobody else will be around to provide moral support should it be needed, so work friends are very necessary. Be careful not to do too much talking.

Little Reminders

Stick a post-it into your lunchbox, or your monitor, or your door, so every time you see it, you’re reminded to smile, or think of God, or remember why you’re working. Little reminders throughout the day can make the difference between misery and cheer.

How do you keep your life on-track and balanced at work? Do any of the tenets of your life suffer while you’re away from home?