Work-Life Balance: The Importance of Unplugging
Even with the holiday season's slowdown, there is always work to be done when you are running your own business. Maintaining a work-life balance is a challenge all year round. Yet the holidays are arguably one of the busiest seasons for a family, and you may find yourself being stretched in every direction.
As a small business owner, burnout is a real and present danger. So, it is vital to consciously unplug from work to protect your well-being and business longevity.
Service-based businesses such as sleep consultants naturally experience a fall in demand during the holidays. We're here to tell you to lean into it. Take the time to recharge, practice self-care, and focus on building memories with your family.
Easier said than done, you say?
Here, we break down the steps to unplugging from work these holidays so you can start the new year refreshed and ready for business success.
Benefits of Unplugging
Occupational burnout has become so prevalent that the World Health Organization (WHO) now includes "burnout" in its International Classification of Diseases Handbook. Setting boundaries around work has become increasingly complex, and the impacts are starting to show.
Recent statistics reveal a worrying picture:
42% of small business owners have experienced burnout in the past month
60% of people reported engaging in work duties while on vacation
9.8 million working mothers are suffering extended burnout
Learning to unplug and create an off-switch between work and family life is challenging, particularly if you run a business from home.
With that said, the benefits of unplugging are significant, both personally and for your business.
Improving physical health – Taking a break from work has been shown to reduce the risk of conditions such as heart disease and increase your chances of living a longer, healthier life.
Mental health benefits – Consciously unplugging from work reduces levels of the "stress hormone" cortisol and can improve our mental health by reducing the incidence of depression and anxiety.
Improved business productivity – Studies have revealed that detaching from work during vacations improves creativity, engagement, and productivity.
How to Strike a Balance
The holidays are a great time to practice implementing strategies to improve your work-life balance. Juggling your business and family commitments can be difficult, but the following tips will get you moving in the right direction.
Create a schedule
Sit down with a hot drink, take a breath, and think about your priorities for the holiday season. First, list all the important events like family get togethers, children's parties, and other activities that are meaningful to you.Then reach for your preferred planning tool (smartphone, day planner, wall calendar) and schedule your priorities and commitments for the entire holiday break.
Looking at your plan will help you manage your time and fit in events as they inevitably pop up.
Set boundaries
If you are running your business from home, it can be difficult to set boundaries between work and family time. Try and set specific hours for work and implement rules around checking emails or social media outside of that time. In addition, scheduling in activity after work, like playing with the kids at the park, can help you detach from the workday.
Establish a home office space
Sometimes when we work from home, it can feel like we never really leave the workplace. Establishing a designated home office space can help you detach and mentally distinguish between work mode and family life. Furthermore, it can help your kids to recognize when you are working and decrease interruptions.
Schedule time for you
Take some time to schedule self-care. What is it that brings you joy and helps you to forget about the endless to-do list?
Reading a good book?
Going for a morning jog?
Indulging in a binge session of your favorite television show?
Whatever it is that lights you up, don't just think about doing it; write it down in your schedule. Experts agree that you are more likely to achieve work-life balance by consciously carving out time in your day and sticking to it.
Setting the Tone for the Future
While it's essential to focus on unplugging from work during the holidays to ensure we make the most of this special time of year without suffering burnout, striking a balance between work and family life should be a priority all year round. As mothers and business owners, we often feel we are burning the candle at both ends, falling into bed at the end of the day without filling our own cups.
Life goes by so quickly, so we must make the holiday season and every other one more fulfilling by slowing down, prioritizing self-care, and enjoying every moment.
