Australians work hard; many of us could admit to working more than 50hrs per week.
Whilst our working lives provide numerous benefits to our health and wellbeing, such as a sense of purpose, community and belonging. Often, we can get lost in the desire to chase that meaningful, professional connection, and lose a little or ourselves, and our health, along the way.
Stress is a natural human response to challenging or dangerous situations. A small amount of stress, such as working to a deadline, can be helpful and lead to increased alertness, energy, and productivity.
If the pressure goes on for too long or becomes greater than our ability to cope with the stress, that is when the often-fragile balance of our personal wellbeing is tipped.
‘At Watermark Constructions, we are committed to providing environments that support work-life balance for our team,’ says Brittany Collins – Operations Manager. ‘Our focus is on our people, in keeping them both engaged in the business yet also free to enjoy the lives they live around the workday. We know that if our people lack drive and vitality, our clients and our customers will feel that too.’
Tips to create balance in your life
Know your values
Spend time thinking about what is important to you in life.
Consider your passions and interests and be available for the things that make you feel alive.
Practise time management
Set achievable goals by implementing time-management strategies, analysing your to-do list, and cutting out tasks that have little to no value.
Pay attention to when you are most productive at work and block that time off for your most important work-related activities.
Set boundaries
Set limits on your work time and set aside time for other activities. Switch off the phone and limit your access to work emails.
Cutting ties with the outside world from time to time allows us to recover from weekly stress and gives us space for other thoughts and ideas to emerge.
Nurture relationships
Positive relationships and social support help build resilience and help us cope with stress.
Relationships take time to nurture and develop so prioritise time with your family, friends, neighbours and loved ones.
Focus on your health
Prioritising your health does not have to consist of radical or extreme activities.
Regular exercise reduces stress, anxiety, and depression. Consider joining a gym, taking a yoga class, or simply going for a walk
Get enough sleep, eat well, and limit your alcohol intake.
For those working from home
Many of us transitioned to the home in 2020 and have never gone back.
It is important to create boundaries around your work schedule when working from home.
Use the time you would have been driving to and from the office, to do something for yourself; read a book, exercise, spend time in nature or just do nothing.
If you have the space, work from one area in your home and when your day is done, close the door and do not open it again until the new day starts.
‘Creating balance in our lives means something different to everyone. We all have different responsibilities and interests. We make it our business to know our people and what they are striving for in life. In this way we can create more robust wellness initiatives that reach and support our team’- Brittany Collins– Operations Manager
Watermark Constructions, who we are as a business, is who we are as people.
