News You Can Use
Finding a balance between work, home life
University Relations
News Bureau (662) 325-3442
Contact: Kenneth Billings
Jan. 8, 2009
For many couples, achieving balance between the demands of work and home is an ongoing struggle that leads to increased stress in both locales.
In addition to creating tension at home, job responsibilities that become the dominant focus of daily life can result, ironically, in decreased productivity at work, according to an associate professor of counselor education at Mississippi State University.
Carl J. Sheperis offers a few ideas to help husbands and wives reduce stress at home and the office:
- Work smarter. Break projects into small, manageable tasks and dedicate time for each task. Also, reward yourself for each completed task.
- Establish a work-stop point. Agree on a set time when daily work ends and learn to hold fast to that deadline, including the urge to check after-hours e-mails.
- Manage the "e-mail monster." Though designed to create faster communication, inordinate amounts time necessary to deal with electronic mail and text messages actually may result in unfinished tasks. Practice setting specific times and limits for daily e-mail correspondence.
- Maintain personal connections. To help attain a sense of wellness at home and work, never be afraid to reach out to family and friends for support, when needed.
- Don’t forget physical exercise. To better handle the stress brought on by daily responsibilities, schedule regular breaks for a brief workout or vigorous walk.