Prioritizing work-life balance has been incredibly challenging for career-driven women. As men and women start to provide equal qualities of work, women find it harder and harder each day to pause and take care of themselves. As a result, they spend too much time building their careers, forgetting to prioritize self-care.
Why some women can’t attain work-life balance
Regardless of gender, employees need to feel valued and respected. But most women experience workplace hardships for several reasons, such as:
Sexism
We may live in the modern era, but sexism still exists, and sadly, many women face such challenges because of cultural behaviors and stigmas. Sexism can result in poor mental health and well-being.
Expensive Care
Many women can’t go back to work right away after giving birth. This is usually because of the lack of affordable care or financial crisis. Because of this, their careers and earnings are highly affected, which can result in long-term consequences.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment has been one of the common problems of many women. Centuries have passed, but most females still experience traumatic situations because of their gender. Millions of women employees face sexual harassment almost every day.
Unequal Treatment
Even though most women have surpassed many men when it comes to career performance, unequal workplace treatment still occurs. As a result, most women feel the need to overcompensate at work just because of their gender.
How To Improve Work-Life Balance
The good news is that women have several options for self-care. Here are some tips to help you stay in control of your life as you maintain your career at the same time.
Have some ME-TIME
Never put yourself in the last of your priorities. You should take care of yourself first before anything else. It’s easy for most women to forget about themselves when they have so much to do- going out with friends, visiting a parent from a senior assisted living facility in her hometown, dating, and so many more.
Studies show that me-time plays a significant role in boosting your mood. Experts recommend regular self-care to attain a better quality of life and reduce stress caused by work or other things. It can even prevent signs of anxiety and depression. That said, here’s how to take care of yourself:
- Exercise regularly
- Go to the spa
- Stay hydrated
- Watch a movie
- Dress up and shop by yourself
- Get a massage
Set Boundaries
One of the reasons some women cannot have a work-life balance is that they can’t set boundaries. You may be the best in what you do, but you’re still a human, you have limitations, and at some point, you need to stop and breathe.
Setting boundaries means knowing when it’s time to work, rest, and have fun. It’s about finding balance among these activities to make sure you live a fulfilling life.
Find a Job you Love
Finding a job you’re passionate about is easier said than done. However, the benefits of enjoying your work are more than just about attaining a happy life. It also promotes contentment and fulfillment. You don’t stress yourself out about the tasks you need to finish because you are satisfied with what you’re doing. While all kinds of jobs can be stressful at some point, you don’t let stress take over your life. After all, it’s your dream job.
Take a Pause
If you are sick or on vacation, stop working! This is the perfect time for you to take an actual break. Let go of all the things that stress you out at work and take this time to rest and recover. Taking a day off from work is incredibly beneficial for your mental and physical health, and it’s a helpful way to reduce the chance of burnout, allowing you to be more productive.
In other words, don’t ever feel guilty about taking a break. You are not a robot, and you deserve time off from work.
Get Help
It’s not always easy to determine if you need help. But if you feel like something’s not right and your health is starting to get affected, it’s probably wiser to do so. Talk to a friend, visit your family, call your best friend, or vent out to your workmates. Letting the steam out from time to time is healthy as it allows you to stay sane despite being busy at work.
As mentioned earlier, there are different ways to achieve work-life balance. You have to find out which one suits you best. Remember to take care of yourself so that you can be more creative and productive at work. Neglecting self-care can have consequences that might affect how you perform at work.
