9 Ways to Help Manage Family and a Career
Trying to meet demands of a career as well as your family can be stressful for many parents. You work all day at the office (or in your home office) and then you may need to make dinner and clean the kitchen, help with homework, shuttle kids to events, get baths and read bedtime stories. In addition, you have other chores which can include paying bills, doing laundry, taking care of pets and perhaps a lawn.
Stress can affect us not only emotionally but physically. Mentally you may feel un-inspired, have trouble concentration and/or sleeping, and feel irritable and short-fused. Physical symptoms of prolonged intense stress can include headaches, back pain, muscle aches, and digestive issues.
The best strategy for staying in the low-stress zone is to balance work and home life, plus try to get in some me time. We’ve gathered some tips for finding a good balance. The include the following.
- Prioritize – Make a task list and number them from most important to least. Schedule time for getting the have-tos completed. And don’t sweat the others. This includes work as well as home projects.
- Set Limits – If your plate is already full, say no to additional work and home tasks. Know what your boss expects and don’t promise more than you can deliver. If a last-minute item pops up, make it clear that other deliverables may be delayed.
- Ask for Help – Figure out what tasks you can outsource. Can a spouse, older child, or family member help with home chores? Have a family cleaning time where everyone pitches in, even younger kids can dust and sweep. Schedule grocery delivery and/or pick up.
- Change Your Job – If you’re in a job that is detrimental to your health, prioritize your health and look for an alternate position.
- Stay Positive – Stress can be a never-ending cycle. The more you focus on the stresses the more stressed you become. Focus your energy in a positive way, completing one task tat a time instead of worrying about what comes next.
- Take action to alleviate stress – Try deep breathing, meditation, go for a walk during your lunch break, or practice yoga.
- Don’t aim for perfection – No one is perfect, and no one expects you to be. At least not most people. Realize that many of your co-workers and bosses are in the same boat, juggling careers and home-life. So what if the laundry piles up for a bit or toys are left on the floor?
- Stay healthy – Set healthy bedtimes and stick to them. Eat a good variety of healthy foods staying away from lots of sugar and caffeine. Exercise several times a week.
- Take care of yourself – Take time to reflect each day perhaps meditating or journaling. Focus on your accomplishments and what you are grateful for. Schedule time for hobbies and social functions.
Prioritizing your mental and physical health benefits not only you but your family. Pin these tips to your mirror, calendar, and/or laptop to practice them daily.
Yours in health,
Danielle Older, MSW, LISW-S, CCTP
Danielle is one of our maternal mental health therapists and the founder of River Root Counseling. Her therapeutic style is individual, evidence-based, and unique to best serve each individual client. Danielle will work with you, at your pace, cheering you on and empowering you as you accomplish your therapeutic goals. Danielle values the therapeutic relationship and works to make each session beneficial and helpful for her clients. Danielle is a mother herself and understands the roller coaster that parenting, and motherhood, can sometimes feel like.
Call River Root at 330-595-4563
Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervision Designation (Ohio) – I.2002068-SUPV
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
Bachelor’s of Social Work – University of Akron
Master’s in Social Work – Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
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