ENJOY YOUR FREE TIME
Balancing work with daily life can feel a little overwhelming at times, especially if you’re experiencing a more intense time with one of them. 33% of us bring home work over the weekends, and getting everything done around the home takes up a tremendous amount of time and energy. One antidote to all this is learning how to make the most of our free time. Work related stress costs millions of working days per year, and spending long hours working can make us feel rather irritable, anxious or depressed.
To start turning the tide, perhaps think about working smarter, not longer. How? By bucking the statistics that say only 23% of office time is spent actively working – that’s one reason so many of us take work home. Next, draw a harder line between work and relaxation, and stick to it. Dedicate a space in your home to work if you need to, then shut the door on that when it’s time to relax.
Leisure time acts as an essential buffer between you and the office. Keeping your mind busy in different ways (from reading and knitting to photography and making music) stops you worrying about work, but the way you actually spend that leisure time is just as important: you don’t need statistics to tell you that melting in front of the TV every night is less beneficial for the brain than something you take an active part in.
Artistic pursuits have been shown to positively improve mental health, to the point where many doctors now prescribe art as therapy. So whether your free time is spent gaming, playing, reading or being super-creative, make it count. Hopefully you’ll see your mood improve, your stress reduce, and every other aspect of your life feel a little easier. 2020 is your year, so make an effort to truly enjoy your free time.