Achieving a Work-Life Balance
Achieving a Work-Life Balance
Once you've set ground rules for yourself, achieving a better work-life balance can help clear away other stressors. Don't take shortcuts here: Either you make work-life balance a priority or you don't. If you decide to make it a priority, recognize you don't need to change everything at once. Just making a few changes can lead to better-than-expected results.
For most nurses, practicing better time management is a challenge because we have so many demands we may perceive as conflicting. Here are ways to manage your time more effectively:
Relationship problems can be a great drain on your time and emotional energy. Here are some ways to strengthen your relationships both at work and at home.
Moving Toward a Better Balance
Once you've set ground rules for yourself, achieving a better work-life balance can help clear away other stressors. Don't take shortcuts here: Either you make work-life balance a priority or you don't. If you decide to make it a priority, recognize you don't need to change everything at once. Just making a few changes can lead to better-than-expected results.
More Effective Time Management
For most nurses, practicing better time management is a challenge because we have so many demands we may perceive as conflicting. Here are ways to manage your time more effectively:
Sit down with your spouse or partner to discuss and negotiate relationship expectations.
Align your priorities and values between home and work.
Look for areas where you should set limits and boundaries on your time—both at home and at work—and stick to them.
Set limits with patients while still conveying empathy and instilling their confidence in your care.
Seek mentors who model good time management, and ask for their advice and guidance.
Work on self-acceptance for the person you are today. Acknowledge that you're doing your best, and keep boundaries by trusting and allowing others to do their job.
Stronger Relationships
Relationship problems can be a great drain on your time and emotional energy. Here are some ways to strengthen your relationships both at work and at home.
Engage in necessary conversations regarding conflict. Addressing conflict and moving beyond it can make an enormous difference in your feelings and perceptions.
Set regular times to get together with family and friends, and stick to those plans. Find time for regularly scheduled family meetings and meals together. Everyone may have to give a little to make this happen, but it will be worth it.
Give people the benefit of a doubt and avoid jumping to conclusions. Work on identifying obstacles to trust.
Be open to reasonable feedback.
Ask for help and delegate responsibilities and duties when possible.
