Gain Control: Balancing Work and Family

Most working adults find themselves juggling multiple responsibilities at home and at work. Whether it's child care or elder care, caregivers often become overwhelmed by their duties and feel unsure about what to do. Insomnia, forgetfulness, or tension headaches may be signs of prolonged stress. Here are a few ways to lighten your load and get back in control:

• In order to avoid burnout, a state of physical and/or emotional exhaustion, identify situations that have triggered burnout in the past. Consider how those situations could have been avoided and develop a plan to deal with them in the future. Divide large projects into smaller, easier-to-manage tasks. This strategy will help you to avoid procrastination and wasted time.

• Prioritize your responsibilities by combining long-term goals and objectives at both home and work. Most working adults make the mistake of separating these objectives, and thereby exaggerate their dual roles.

• Scale down your objectives to a handful of those that are most important. Prioritize tasks according to how they relate to your goals.

• Eliminate tasks that don't promote your objectives. If possible, delegate easier tasks, such as household chores or minor office duties, to family members and co-workers.

• Nothing hampers productivity more than disorganization. Reduce cluttered spaces in the office and at home, especially places where family members gather.

• Use calendars that include deadlines, appointments, and activities at both work and home.

• Place a large calendar in the kitchen or recreational room where family members can mark important dates, making it easier to plan for family leisure time.

• Pursue a new hobby or establish a regular exercise program. Make time for yourself every day. Establish a support group with co-workers or neighbors.

• Most importantly, remember in your quest for caring for others to take care of yourself.

In today's fast-paced world, balancing work and life responsibilities is no easy task. Knowing where to turn for assistance is a start. Contact your Work/Life program and/or EAP to help you manage some of the issues you may be facing as a caregiver to your children or older relatives.

Source: © Harris, Rothenberg International, LLC