Before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season starts, it’s a great time to reflect on what’s been going well and what could be even better in your life. There are a lot of ways to think about making life even better, but here at Lift Your Table™ folding table risers, we’re all about creating more balance in our lives.

Setting boundaries for working from home … to balance work and life

It’s so easy to mingle work with home … when you’re actually working at home! However, no one owes their employer 24/7 access. It’s not healthy to keep working with no rest, as that commonly leads to burnout.

Just a few simple tricks can help you keep work and home separate, so that you can put in a full day’s work while minimizing distractions. And then have time with friends and family after your workday is over.

Give yourself a set schedule to follow every day. It can be 9 to 5 if that works for you, or you can work earlier or later as your natural circadian rhythm prefers. Also provide an ergonomically correct dedicated workspace for your working time. You might find wearing casual business attire puts you in the right frame of mind.

And have a ritual at the end of your day to close out work time. That’s your signal to leave the screen and get connected with real people. Not just the virtual ones you know through social media.

Moving more… to counteract all the sitting in front of screens

Is your household one that has screens in every room? Between TVs, tablets, laptops, and phones you can have a screen available wherever you go! However, constantly viewing life through a screen and sitting in front of one is unhealthy both mentally and physically.

• At work

There are a variety of ways to add movement to your day while you’re working. Get up periodically to hydrate, stretch, pet the pets, etc. Consider a sit-stand desk setup so you can stand up to work instead of sitting all day. 

When you are on your tush, you can use a ball or wobble stool instead of a regular chair to give you more ab work.

• At home

Your pets need exercise too, so take them for a walk or chase them around the house for a little while. Bonus: it helps all of you sleep better!

While you’re streaming your favorite TV show, you don’t have to stay slouched in the recliner. Situps, leg lifts, squats, etc. are all things you can do to stay in motion. Your back will thank you!

If you’ve been relying on Siri or Alexa, see what you can get yourself by getting up and moving around instead.

• Anywhere else

When you’re going to the grocery store, doctor’s office, or anywhere else, think about how you can move some more. You’ve probably heard these before: park further away from the building to add a little more of a walk. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. If you can, you might consider running errands on a bike or on foot instead of driving. 

Doing even little bits of extra movement add up when you do them consistently. 

Caring for yourself… so you have the inner strength to care for others

Whatever you need to fill up your tank is great. People talk about bubble baths… but if that’s not your jam do something else! It might be calling a good friend to chat, taking a 3-day weekend, or anything else that refreshes you. 

This is another reason why people hit burnout faster. They spend so much time putting others first, but don’t refill their own cup. And you can’t pour from an empty cup. Build your own inner strength and only then can you support others. 

So don’t feel guilty for taking time for yourself. Others around you will be grateful that you did, instead of wearing yourself out and then feeling resentful and angry.

Less screen time… to increase being present with friends and family

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from working from home, it’s how important our connections are with others. Social media allows us to keep up with friends and family, but it is no substitute for speaking to others over the phone or in person. Even if you have to stay six feet away during coronavirus restriction!

Many people find hobbies soothing and helpful, especially during times of stress. When you spend less time in front of the screen, you can find more time for constructive things like hobbies or recreation. Which are better for your mind, body, and spirit. 

Fewer screens are especially good for kids, who need more exercise, more fresh air, and more time with friends. Be a good example by setting down your phone to engage with people in real life.

What are you doing to build better balance in your own life? Let us know in the comments!