In today’s fast-paced and competitive world, most of us lead a hectic life that sees us juggle between demands at home and deadlines at the workplace. When one’s dealing with so much in one’s daily life, setting a structure to ease through it holds the key to effective multi-tasking. To strike that much desired work-life balance, here’s a seamless guide with easy, embraceable practices for different times in the day…
Morning Motivation: Today, most of us tend to reach out for our phones as soon as we wake up and expose ourselves to pending e-mail messages that may evoke a stressful feeling and ruin our mornings. Instead, set a traditional alarm clock, if needed, and refrain from checking your phone the first thing in the morning.
Begin your day with a 5-10 minute meditation session in complete silence. By meditation, I’m not suggesting a complex routine, but just a simple deep-breathing exercise that soothes your senses and helps you begin your day on a calm note.
The focus of this practice, especially at the beginning of your day, is to make you feel at the utmost peace with yourself as you inhale positive thoughts and beliefs. Conversely, while exhaling, expel all negativity from your system. You could sit cross-legged, or in any comfortable position that lets you keep your spine erect and breathe deeply to make you feel more focused and at ease. You may also use lavender aroma oil to induce a calm feeling and improve your focus and clarity of thought.
Mid-morning Orientation: After a sumptuous breakfast, when you brace yourself to take on the day, the most important thing to remember is that discipline is the key to effective multi-tasking. After reaching your workplace, you may feel burdened at first with a number of tasks to be completed throughout the day. Take stock of the tasks of the day by creating a to-do-list, with timelines against each task and, maybe, colour-code them, too, in order of priority. As you go about achieving each task and ticking them off from the list, the day will be over before you realise it and will also be a highly productive one for you.
Afternoon Bonds: Your lunch break is one of the best times to feel relaxed and also bring you closer to your colleagues with whom you spend most of the day or waking hours. So, your individual productivity is also enhanced when you share a great camaraderie with them.
Use this break time wisely with your co-workers. Put your phones aside and sit together to share your nutritious, wholesome meals and strengthen your bonds. ‘Lunch Break’ is also the time to plan some extra-curricular, or ‘team-building’ activities periodically. These 20-30 minutes at the workplace not only enhance the rapport between colleagues and fuel one’s creativity, but also combat the sluggishness that tends to creep in after lunch. A workforce where people share a good rapport with each other ensures a happy environment in the company. It also helps strengthen collective consciousness by aligning their energies and ensuring smooth functioning of the machinery.
Late-Afternoon Alleviation: It’s 5 pm, and do you feel your energy levels are being sapped? Then, recharge yourself with a 2-minute meditation break. Rub some ylang ylang oil, or citrus oil on your wrist and temples for an instant relaxing and rejuvenating effect.
Rejuvenation at Dusk: Once you are home, devote some time to a revitalising activity with your loved ones. Steer clear of the television, phone or other electronic gadgets. Instead, go for a swim, or a walk together. If you prefer something indoors, play a board game, or cards. This helps you boost your happy hormones and release the pent-up energy of the day, while simultaneously fortifying the bond with your dear ones.
Midnight Musings: You have practically devoted most of your day to other things and people. So, now, it’s recommended that you give priority to yourself at the end of it. About 30-40 minutes before going to sleep, sit in silence and relax your entire being. Play some soft instrumental music and review your day. In-depth introspection is essential, not only to analyse the stressful activities of the day and to figure out how you could have done them differently, but also to increase your self-awareness and clarity of thought.
The sooner you embrace this guide, the better it is for your overall well-being. Bear in mind that, once certain things and techniques become a part of your daily routine, they will come naturally to you without having to make any major effort. Striking that ideal work-life balance will subsequently become much your way of life.
(Pinky Daga is the CEO, Thriive Art & Soul)
