How to spot the signs of being too busy, and what to do about it.
We’ve all been there. It’s the end of a challenging week of deadlines and difficult clients, and home life seems even crazier than usual.
We make big plans to make up for it on the weekend, but Friday night comes and we’re a burnt out mess, probably battling the first signs of the flu or at least a headache. Or we just work through the weekend too.
Whether you work remotely or in a traditional work setting, it’s not how life should be. And escaping the rut is certainly harder for remote workers, who quite literally live at work.
These are a few signs you’re probably overdoing it, and some tips on how to restore work-life balance, and your sanity.
Waking up tired
It’s not unusual to wake feeling a little weary some days. But if you’re waking up the household hitting snooze three or more times every morning, it’s a sure sign your body is telling you to rest.
It’s easy to say ‘get to bed earlier’, but most of us have deadlines or household responsibilities to attend to before diving into the land of Z’s. Instead, look at the things you can change.
- Are you eating right? A poor diet and inadequate nutrition are major contributors to fatigue.
- Can someone else do it? Don’t think you have to do everything yourself. Take a look at your schedules – both work and personal, and outsource whatever you can to lighten the load.
- Switch off. Most of us are guilty of sleeping with our phones – don’t do it. Glaring at a bright screen in bed disrupts the circadian rhythm and makes it harder for you to fall asleep. Not to mention those pesky Facebook and email alerts in the middle of the night!
- If you are lucky enough to have spare time, turn off Netflix and hit the hay!
Sleeping too much
How many of us are guilty of passing out on the couch watching TV? Or even falling asleep during dinner? If you’re only finding time to work and sleep, your personal relationships will suffer, and pretty soon the cracks will begin to show in your work too. Not to mention your health. It’s time to call ‘time out’ and take a serious look at your work situation. Sometimes it helps to think of the bigger picture and work back from there – what are you actually trying to achieve? Identify that and find a more sustainable way to achieve it, because you can bet you won’t make it living like a zombie, and you’ll hurt those closest to you.
Bad moods
Are people around you complaining that you’re grumpier than usual? Losing your cool when you’re normally calm is often a sign of high stress.
Try your hand at meditation, or at least set a few minutes aside each day to close your eyes, breathe deeply, and calm your thoughts.
