This is a sponsored post authored by Digimagnet Inc.
Work is becoming an increasingly stressful factor in people’s lives. In the US, 83% of workers suffer from work-related stress, and 25 % report their job as being their number one stress factor. ‘High-intensity’ work can and will mean different things in different roles. A doctor’s job can be intense as it can quickly become stressful and overwhelming. A firefighter’s role becomes intense when it requires them to put themselves in dangerous situations. A teacher’s work might become intense when they have limited resources and a high workload.
If you’re working in a high-intensity workplace, it’s important to ensure you’re managing your work/life balance — taking time for yourself, unwinding from work, and setting boundaries. Working a demanding job can mean that perfecting this balance is difficult, but it also means that it’s all the more important. Your job might mean you’re not in a position to employ commonly suggested strategies for work/life balance such as ignoring your calls and emails when you’re at home or taking extra breaks throughout the day, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do. Below is a list of realistic suggestions that might work for you, even if you’re time-poor, on-call or even just feeling a bit lost as to where to start.
Four ways to manage your own work/life balance in a high-intensity job
1. Enquire about remote or flexible options
Regular or even just sporadic days of remote work might make all the difference in a high-intensity workplace. Getting to work in your home environment, where you are likely far more relaxed might help reduce your stress levels, or if you work long hours, time saved on commuting might make balancing your work and home life a little easier.
Even some doctors have taken up remote work through telehealth options. That being said, many high-intensity jobs are not conducive to remote work. In this case, consider flexible working options, like earlier starts and finishes to accommodate for events in your personal life. Remote and flexible options can also apply to stressful study, as many universities offer remote options for education in high-intensity industries, such as online PMHNP programs.
2. Unwind and have fun when you’re not at work
Make time to relax and have fun when you’re not working. Relaxing might mean unwinding with a bath after a long day or hunkering down with snacks for a Friday night movie night. Having fun might mean catching up with friends or nurturing a creative hobby. It might even be all of the above. It doesn’t really matter how you choose to take time for yourself, as long as it truly is that: for yourself. You can’t be your best self at work if you’re not fulfilled in your personal life.
3. Look into the resources available to you
There’s a good chance that your workplace has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to you. An EAP is a voluntary, free, and confidential program offered by employers that provides a range of support to employees (and sometimes even their families) including counseling for mental health, addiction, and family and personal life stress. The issue does not have to be work-related for your EAP to help.
If you are at all feeling that you might need additional support in any area of your life, your EAP is a fantastic place to start. If you don’t have a program readily available to you, consider other support services such as local support groups, private therapists, Medicaid-funded therapy, or industry-specific services such as veteran mental health services.
Try an online course like this one from Cudoo.com on Workplace Stress Management.
4. Set boundaries where you can
Again, this one might seem tough if you work in a very demanding role, but it might not have to be as difficult or extreme as you think. It could be as simple as cutting a few of your overtime hours or saying no when extra work is asked of you. While it can at first be overwhelming to have these conversations with your superiors, it will undoubtedly be worth it if you get to finish your week a little less exhausted, or make it to those all-important family events every once in a while.
Managing a healthy work/life balance is incredibly important to both your personal and professional life. A healthy relationship with work allows for healthy relationships outside of work, it also helps to avoid burnout and in doing so makes you a better worker. Working a demanding or high-intensity job makes perfecting your work/life balance even more important, as these jobs can very easily impede on your personal life. While it may be difficult, there are ways you can make accommodations, take time for yourself, look after your health, and set boundaries, you just have to figure out which ones work the best for you and your role.
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