stress

…in your
life
work-life balance
 Work-Life “Challenge”

Feeling overloaded with both work

and family responsibilities is a big
stressor for many.

Finding a balance between “paid work”

and a personal life has become a
significant issue for 50% of the labour
force, both women and men.
 Employers Agree

In a recent study, nearly 75% of

employers surveyed reported that
employee stress was at least partly
related to blending work and personal
responsibilities.
Does This Story Sound Familiar?

I like my job.
I have a wonderful family and
supportive spouse. But, it feels like
I am stretched to the limit!
It seems that I never have enough
hours in the day to get my work done
and still have time for my family
and friends.
There is just no such thing as
“personal time” in my life!
Don’t
wish
we had more
time!
 Suggestions

Unfortunately, there are still only

24 hours in a day!

But, there are some things that you

have some control over to help put
more balance in your life.

Consider some of the following

suggestions:
 Suggestions
1. Use your commute time wisely.

• It may be the only time that you have to

yourself all day.

• Try to think of it as a “gift” to yourself.

• Use the time to unwind and make the

mental transition from home to work,
and from work to home.

• Listen to relaxing music or audio books.

 Suggestions
2. Set priorities…and stick to them.

• Make a list of priorities for home and

a list for work.

• Little stuff can eat away at your whole

day before you even notice.

• You’ll have less stress if you get the

important things done first.
 Suggestions
3. Share the workload at home.

• Keep a chores list on the fridge for the

whole family with names assigned.

• Try to make meal preparation fun;

include your children and turn on some
lively music - dance and sing together.

• Hire a reliable teenager from your

neighbourhood to “take some of the
edge off” of doing some household
chores (folding laundry, raking leaves,
doing dishes, etc.)
 Suggestions
4. Plan meals ahead.

• Each week plan 2-3 meals. This will

save much time and grief when it
comes to preparing a meal at the end
of the work day!

• Keep your cupboards, fridge and freezer

well-stocked with meal supplies for
those frenzied or “grab and go” meals.

• Remember, even take-out or drive-thru

meals take time, often as much time as
making a quick meal at home.
 Suggestions
5. Set time aside for fun and relaxation.

• Find activities that you can do as a

family. Include physical activities like
skating and rollerblading, cycling or
going on hikes.

• Plan regular “dates” with your spouse

or partner. Spend time together by
doing something you both enjoy like
going out for dinner or taking a walk in
the park or on a walking trail.

• Don’t forget to include some

“personal time” for your own
hobbies or activities.
 Suggestions
6. Monitor your workload.

• If you are the employee, speak out when

you are overloaded. Ask for help or
negotiate more realistic expectations.

• If you are the supervisor, learn how to

delegate more effectively. Don’t try to
do the work of your employees.
 Self-Learning Quiz

?
Questions

Work-life balance issues have become

a significant problem for both men
and women. (true or false)

Setting priorities will allow you to get

all of the things done that you want in
a day. (true or false)

Identify at least 2 ways that you can

share the workload at home.
 Answers for Self-Learning Quiz

A
Q1: Work-life balance issues have become
a significant problem for both men and
women. (true or false)

True
In the past, finding a balance between
work and personal life was more of
an issue for women. However, in the
last 5-10 years, men are increasingly
being challenged to find a work-life
balance in their lives.
 Answers for Self-Learning Quiz

A
Q2: Setting priorities will allow you to get all
of the things done that you want in a day.
(true or false)

False
Setting priorities will help you get
the most important things done in
a day but you probably won’t be
able to get everything done that
you want to. That would probably
take a miracle for most of us!
 Answers for Self-Learning Quiz

A
Q3: Identify at least 2 ways that you can share
the workload at home.

Keep a chores list on the fridge for

the whole family. Make sure that
names are assigned to each task.

Try to make meal preparation fun;

include your children and turn on
some lively music - dance and sing
around the kitchen as you prepare
your meals.

Hire a reliable teenager from your

neighbourhood to “take some of the
edge off” of doing some household
chores.
 To Find Out More…

For more information on

Stress Management, contact the
Windsor-Essex County Health Unit
258-2146 x 3100. Ask for the latest
brochure and newsletter from
Live Better. Live Longer. Workplace
Health Promotion Program.