How to juggle life’s commitments without burnout out
Juggling multiple life commitments can be challenging. It can sometimes feel like things are never-ending, and we’re constantly trying to maintain the right balance between our personal life and work life.
For some people, this can lead to burnout or guilt – that one thing is taking higher priority than the other. To avoid this, we need to find an equilibrium between the commitments we have to others and the commitments we have to ourselves.
Dr Sophie Ward, Deputy Head of Psychology at Arden University, shares her top five tips to help you balance your personal and professional commitments.
1) List all your priorities
Start by making a list of all your commitments and responsibilities – this can be your personal or work goals, family commitments, or financial obligations. Then, prioritise each of them based on their importance and urgency. If your main goal is to pass an exam, for example, then committing time to revise comes at the top.
Of course, it’s not always as linear as this. You may have to pass an exam while looking after your child. This is where keeping a to-do list or using a calendar can help. You can set specific time blocks for different activities and allocate your time wisely, as well as break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable ones and keep track of deadlines to stay organised.
2) Learn to delegate
It’s important to remember you don’t have to handle everything on your own. Delegate tasks and responsibilities to others when possible – this could be in your personal or professional life. If you have a team or family members who can assist you, share the workload and collaborate effectively. Delegating not only lightens your burden, but it also helps others grow and develop new skills.
As well as this, striking the right balance is crucial; sometimes, it’s necessary to say no to additional commitments to avoid overwhelming yourself.
3) Look after your physical wellbeing
It’s essential to take care of yourself while juggling multiple responsibilities. Don’t lose track of what’s important for your body: good sleep, nutritious food and exercise. This serves as a safeguard against burnout and will reduce the likelihood of stress-related health conditions.
If you’re struggling to maintain a healthy lifestyle, try to adopt a routine that works for you. Have a set time to go to sleep, to wake up and to exercise; you will not only create a daily habit to prioritise your health, but your body will get more used to implementing it when you stick to the same routine.
4) Remember your mental health
Our mental wellbeing is just as important as our physical wellbeing. They tie in closely together, as one can easily affect the other, so looking after your mental state of mind is crucial. It will help you to remain focused and productive when managing lots of things at once. Aside from knowing when to say no to ease stress, there are other things you can do to help look after your mental wellbeing when trying to juggle a lot of obligations.
Set aside time for hobbies, socialising and activities that bring you joy and take your mind off the busyness of the day-to-day. Taking care of your mental wellbeing will help you maintain energy and reduce burnout, but it will also ensure you’re taking the time you need to switch off and relax. If you’re struggling to find the time to fit in your hobbies, a quick meditation session or keeping a gratitude journal are quick, easy steps you can take to look after your mental wellbeing.
5) Think about what’s important to you
We can often get so caught up in work or family life that sometimes we forget what’s important to us. For some, spending more time with the family is what drives them; for others, working towards a promotion holds a stronger purpose.
Everyone is different, but remembering your ‘why’ when trying to manage many different things at once can help you to persevere. Take into consideration what drives you and when you feel happiest. This will allow you to focus on what means most to you. It can help to have a list of goals to remind you what you’re striving to achieve and how you will get there.
Remember, finding a balance between your commitments is an ongoing process, and it may require adjustment and flexibility. Be kind to yourself and don’t hesitate to ask for support when needed.
