For many of us, the majority of every day is spent at the office. In fact, it’s pretty clear – we spend more time at the office than we do in our own homes! When we get home at the end of a long day or simply want to enjoy a lunch break – it’s tough to decide what to do first. How we invest our time outside of the office is important – it’s limited, after all! Narrowing it down to the things that are most important – like spending time with family and friends, for example, is a great way to get started for making sure your maximizing each moment that’s not at your desk. Here’s a look at some great ideas for keeping it all in perspective and capitalizing on every free moment you have.
Think about the things you love – exercise, food, family, friends etc. and plan your free time accordingly. Be sure to spread your activities to cover a little bit of everything you enjoy.
Don’t forget to spend some time focused simply on you. When you’re at the office, it’s hectic – answering emails, phone calls, meetings and questions – the time you spend away from the office should include some peaceful moments of reflection and quiet.
Make fresh air a priority. Sitting at a desk all day – often in a windowless environment really isn’t natural. It’s also not the best thing for your mind or body –so making fresh air and sunshine a priority is absolutely essential. If you love to walk, run or bike ride – it’s easy to combine your exercise with your time outdoors – and if that’s not for you – try gardening, going to the beach or even reading under a tree. It’s pretty incredible how just a few minutes of fresh air each day can restore your sense of equilibrium.
Eat something wonderful. At work it’s easy to eat on the go or to simply devour your lunch (because you’re starving!) without even thinking twice about it. Outside the office, cooking a healthy meal or going out to eat is a fun experience that makes you feel good. Taking time to eat and enjoy the food with family and friends is also a great way to restore your sense of togetherness.
Recharging your batteries at the end of a long work week is absolutely essential and if that means investing your time in a little extra sleep or simply relaxing with a movie – go for it! Your mind needs a break from the fast-paced action to be fresh and new come Monday morning.
Give your favorite hobbies the time they deserve. Love baking or doing something creative like DIY projects or even spending time at yard sales? Without a doubt, fostering your creative self or spending time on the things you love is a key factor in maintaining a balanced life. Set time aside for those activities – it will help you feel complete and satiated when you get back to the office.
What are your favorite ways to spend your time when you’re not at work? How do you balance it all?
