It should come as no surprise that stress is one of the biggest problems for full-time workers. In fact, more than 80 percent of workers feel stressed out because of their job.
This impacts their ability to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
If you feel that work-related stress is hurting your ability to relax at home, you’re not alone. However, that doesn’t mean you have to accept it.
Here are a few simple, frugal hacks to help you improve your work-life balance without indulging in retail therapy.
Give Yourself Permission to Stop
When you’re trying to grow your career, it can be difficult to clock out at the end of the day. There’s always a temptation to bring work home with you and once you do, it can take away from the time you could spend with those you love.
Instead, give yourself permission to stop working when you leave the office for better work-life balance.
If you keep coming up with ideas or tasks that you need to take care of, write them down. You can refer to that list the next day and get them done when you’re supposed to be working, not when you’re supposed to be relaxing.
It can take time to get out of the habit of working when you’re not at work, but once you do, you’ll feel far better.
Make Time for Yourself
Between work, family, and social obligations, it’s normal to put yourself on the back burner. Unfortunately, doing so isn’t ideal for your mental health. You need to take time for yourself.
At least once a month, give yourself time to pursue something you’re passionate about or participate in something that you find relaxing.
The important thing is that you do something for no one other than yourself. It doesn’t have to be something big. Even staying in and cooking a favorite meal is enough.
Even better, it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Add the ingredients to your favorite meal to your shopping list as part of your regular frugal meal planning routine. Watch your favorite show without letting anyone else interrupt you.
The only limit is your imagination.
Disconnect
One of the biggest struggles people face when trying to create a better work-life balance is getting offline. You rely on the internet for everything from staying connected with loved ones and catching the latest movies to getting work done.
You need to unplug every once in a while. When you do, you won’t be able to check-in with work or make updates to things you have lined up for the next day.
Turn your phone off and put your computer away for an entire day every now and then. You don’t have to turn off the internet if you’re planning on spending the day binging your favorite show while munching on popcorn.
Follow Your Passions
Think about what’s causing your work-life balance struggles. Is it because your boss insists that you work unnecessary (and uncompensated) overtime? Or are you doing it because you truly love what you do?
There’s a big difference here. A boss or a workplace that leaves you suggesting to your coworkers, "let's fix work", isn’t conducive to a healthy work-life balance. However, following your passions and doing what you love allows you to be a bit more flexible.
While you shouldn’t devote all of your time to your job, even if it’s your passion project, you should let that passion drive you. When you do, you’ll see an increase in productivity and a decrease in your overall stress.
You may end up putting in longer days, but you’ll find it easier to take time off when you can and enjoy your time away from work.
Reevaluate Your Goals
Simplifying your work-life balance and decreasing the amount of stress you’re under often means taking a long, hard look at your goals.
Consider why you’re working so hard. Are you working toward something or are you doing it out of habit? Are there other goals that might better suit your ambitions without forcing you to take time away from your personal life?
Think about the things you want to accomplish and look for ways to start working toward your new goals. This will give you something better to focus on than the habit of the grind.
When you adjust your focus, you’ll be better able to identify times when working a little longer is useful, and when it’s becoming disruptive to your life.
Get Rid of Clutter
Clutter doesn’t just make your home look dirty. It can also make you feel more stressed. In extreme cases, it can leave you wanting to spend more time at the office and less time at home.
The key to frugal simple living is getting rid of the items you don’t really need. Take matters into your own hands and get rid of that clutter.
Host a garage sale to get rid of items that are in good condition while making a little money on the side. If you have items left over from the sale, you can donate them to local charities.
Once your home is clutter-free, you’ll likely feel less stressed and be better able to focus on work during work hours. When you’re able to be more productive during work hours, you won’t have to bring work home with you.
Keep These Frugal Hacks in Mind
Getting your work-life balance back on track is one of the best things you can do for your mental and physical health. The best part is that it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. You just have to be willing to make a difference in your own life.
Try incorporating these frugal hacks into your life and career balance now. Just remember to be patient and give yourself time and permission to adapt to your new normal during this stressful time.
