articles

A Letter from the Managing Editor: Finding Work-Life Balance

By Jenny Steadman September 9, 2016
I love publishing this newsletter. I spend the month gathering content, taking suggestions from you and I try to put together solid information that will help you and your family on your path to wellness. This monthly column is to let you know I am here with you! I'm a mom with young children and a crazy schedule; I don't get enough sleep and have trouble eating well. We are in this together and, as a team, we can improve our lives, our families and our communities. 

I was recently asked to give a talk to a group of business-people about work-life balance. As someone who has worked in the super-fast office world, been a stay-at-home-mom and now a work-at-home entrepreneur, I definitely have this battle - just like all of us do. I am no more an expert than any of you but I do have a few tools in my back pocket that I like to pull out from time to time. 

1. Deep breaths. Seriously. More oxygen to your brain means more oxygen to your body, which means more thinking power. I like to take a few meditative deep breaths before I pick my girls up from school. After a stressful day, this makes all the different in the world. It is also a great tactic when I am trying to get work done and can't concentrate. It brings tasks back into focus.

2. Reduce expectations of yourself. No one is expecting you to be a super parent and get it all done. You are expecting this. Sure, societal pressures are out there, but don't fall into them. When you hold yourself to the expectations that you can do everything, people hold you up to those expectations. If you do feel pressure from outside of yourself, like society, your spouse or your mom, don't accept it. That is their problem. Let it go. 

3. Reprioritizing. As a parent, what is your number one priority? I know what you are all going to say. Go ahead and say it. "The kids." No. Nope. Wrong. The answer is YOU. When parents aren't happy, the entire family suffers. You need to be well-rested and well-fed. You need to be less-stressed and taken care of. I'm not talking about running off to the Bahamas or spending a day at the spa, I'm talking about taking those deep breaths. I'm talking about cooking yourself a nutritious lunch. I'm talking about getting quality sleep. Take care of you. When you make yourself #1, everyone benefits. Also, your kids will learn from you how to be healthy adults and take care of themselves when the time comes. 

4. Boundaries. Set them. We've all heard, "No is a complete sentence," now make sure you use it. You don't have to do everything and be everywhere. No one expects you to. This includes your kids! You don't have to go to every soccer game and play every board game. Start saying no and feel the freedom!

5. Use Your Village. We talked about this extensively back in July but it bears repeating again. You are surround by people who need help, just like you. Find other parents, neighbors, friends, babysitters, dog walkers, teachers and other educators. Make friends. Don't be afraid to offer help and, the hardest of all, don't be afraid to accept help. 

What are tools you use to balance work and life? Any tips up your sleeve you can share with us?


Until next time,

Jenny