Balancing Family, Career, and Health
Women have come a long way since the suffragists marched on Washington 100 years ago, yet in many places in the world, and even in the United States, women’s rights still have a long way to go.
Today, women are not only raising families, they’re also forging careers. It’s become a juggling act for many, and often the result isn’t always a positive one. Juggling takes precise timing and intense hand-eye coordination to keep things going, and with the schedule many women keep today, it’s easy to let a responsibility drop.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the juggling act, here are a few tips to help you keep your sanity, even if you let something drop.
1. You’re not super woman
Nobody can do it all, including woman. Balancing work, family, and health is a lot for anyone to handle. When it comes to juggling your life, remember that no one does it perfect.
Try cutting yourself a little slack and remember, if you try to do it all, you’re risking doing nothing well.
Also, if you do let something drop, although it’s important to learn from such experiences, it’s equally important to recover and move on.
2. Prioritize then set aside time
It’s easy to let all the little things get the better of you. That’s why it’s important to keep in mind the important stuff.
Work is important, but so is family. That’s why it’s important to set priorities and follow through.
Monitor the amount of time you spend working. If you find yourself spending more time working than on other responsibilities allocate times to “take off.”
Taking off doesn’t have to be about taking vacation time, though that’s good too. Taking off means setting time to do other things during the day and in the evenings.
For example, if your child has a soccer game at 5 in the afternoon on a work day, go to work early that day or make arrangements to leave in time to make the game.
But, just as it's important to be at your child’s soccer game physically, it is equally important for you to show up mentally.
We live in a social world, and we're constantly plugged in, which can be stressful and time-consuming. Sometimes it's good to take a break from technology, which is a lot easier said than done.
Try making a conscious effort to put away your phone and table work at a certain time of day so that you can better engage in other things. The habit might be difficult to break, especially in times of boredom, but if you stick to it, you just might find the evening times a little less stressful.
3. Say no
Part of prioritizing your time is about setting limits with yourself, but it’s also about setting limits with others. It’s easy to take on too much because we naturally want to please everyone. Guard your time closely.
Don’t be a victim to etiquette when it comes to saying no. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with responsibility, decline any additional obligations until you have a better handle on your time.
If you’re already over-committed, look for opportunities to lighten your load.
4. Make time for you
It’s easy to forget our personal needs when trying to do a million things. Remember, you will be a much better partner, parent, employee, and person if you take a few extra minutes to take care of your needs and reward yourself from time to time.
5. Remember the basics
Eating right, exercising, drinking water, and getting plenty of sleep are critical to help make sure your body and mind are prepared for this juggling act. If you don’t get rest, don’t keep active, are dehydrated and eat a lot of unhealthy foods, you won’t be able to juggle very successfully or for very long.
Also remember your mental health. Take time to talk to friends and loved ones about stresses and successes in your life. If you’re struggling with one area of your life, let others know. They might be able to offer suggestions or maybe even help out.
When all’s said and done, we’re all equal. Nobody is perfect and no one can do it all, man or woman, but by cutting yourself some slack, prioritizing your schedule, protecting your time, and taking care of yourself, you just might find that juggling isn’t as difficult or arduous as you once thought. In fact, it can be fulfilling and somewhat fun.
March is Women's History Month.
Today, women are not only raising families, they’re also forging careers. It’s become a juggling act for many, and often the result isn’t always a positive one. Juggling takes precise timing and intense hand-eye coordination to keep things going, and with the schedule many women keep today, it’s easy to let a responsibility drop.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the juggling act, here are a few tips to help you keep your sanity, even if you let something drop.
1. You’re not super woman
Nobody can do it all, including woman. Balancing work, family, and health is a lot for anyone to handle. When it comes to juggling your life, remember that no one does it perfect.
Try cutting yourself a little slack and remember, if you try to do it all, you’re risking doing nothing well.
Also, if you do let something drop, although it’s important to learn from such experiences, it’s equally important to recover and move on.
2. Prioritize then set aside time
It’s easy to let all the little things get the better of you. That’s why it’s important to keep in mind the important stuff.
Work is important, but so is family. That’s why it’s important to set priorities and follow through.
Monitor the amount of time you spend working. If you find yourself spending more time working than on other responsibilities allocate times to “take off.”
Taking off doesn’t have to be about taking vacation time, though that’s good too. Taking off means setting time to do other things during the day and in the evenings.
For example, if your child has a soccer game at 5 in the afternoon on a work day, go to work early that day or make arrangements to leave in time to make the game.
But, just as it's important to be at your child’s soccer game physically, it is equally important for you to show up mentally.
We live in a social world, and we're constantly plugged in, which can be stressful and time-consuming. Sometimes it's good to take a break from technology, which is a lot easier said than done.
Try making a conscious effort to put away your phone and table work at a certain time of day so that you can better engage in other things. The habit might be difficult to break, especially in times of boredom, but if you stick to it, you just might find the evening times a little less stressful.
3. Say no
Part of prioritizing your time is about setting limits with yourself, but it’s also about setting limits with others. It’s easy to take on too much because we naturally want to please everyone. Guard your time closely.
Don’t be a victim to etiquette when it comes to saying no. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with responsibility, decline any additional obligations until you have a better handle on your time.
If you’re already over-committed, look for opportunities to lighten your load.
4. Make time for you
It’s easy to forget our personal needs when trying to do a million things. Remember, you will be a much better partner, parent, employee, and person if you take a few extra minutes to take care of your needs and reward yourself from time to time.
5. Remember the basics
Eating right, exercising, drinking water, and getting plenty of sleep are critical to help make sure your body and mind are prepared for this juggling act. If you don’t get rest, don’t keep active, are dehydrated and eat a lot of unhealthy foods, you won’t be able to juggle very successfully or for very long.
Also remember your mental health. Take time to talk to friends and loved ones about stresses and successes in your life. If you’re struggling with one area of your life, let others know. They might be able to offer suggestions or maybe even help out.
When all’s said and done, we’re all equal. Nobody is perfect and no one can do it all, man or woman, but by cutting yourself some slack, prioritizing your schedule, protecting your time, and taking care of yourself, you just might find that juggling isn’t as difficult or arduous as you once thought. In fact, it can be fulfilling and somewhat fun.
March is Women's History Month.
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