Health and Wellness
Most of us are always on the go, coping with stress at work, and maybe struggling to stay energized when faced with repetitive professional tasks. The result can be a feeling of exhaustion that we carry home after a long day at work, making it hard to enjoy personal time and to feel good.
Staying energized and positive is much easier when we set clear boundaries between our workday and life at home.
Setting boundaries starts by being intentional about ending your working day. Be clear with yourself, your colleagues, and your family that you are purposely doing something distinctly separate from work. Communicate your boundaries in a positive and respectful way.
Here are three simple things to pay attention to that can help to distinguish work and personal time:
1. Use your commute home to get in the right frame of mind.
For Canadian tradespeople, commuting probably involves driving. Instead of getting home as fast as possible, rehashing all the stresses of your day as you race home, try deliberately turning this “alone time” into a chance to unwind and reset.
2. Share positive stories about your day.
Catching up with your loved ones about the day is important, and so are the kind of stories you choose to share. Are you focusing on what was frustrating at work, or do you share the wins instead? What you choose to talk about will make a big difference in how you feel, as well as the atmosphere at home.
3. Spend your time at home doing something that lifts your spirits.
As easy as it is to collapse on the cushions and while away the hours by “tuning out” until bedtime, our mental health really benefits when we actively participate in the household tasks and make time for a personal hobby or social activity whenever we can.
Setting our personal time apart from work time in ways that are positive and active leads to feeling better, having more energy, and enjoying life – and work – more. Try it!
Psychological safety is just as important as physical safety. If you or someone in your family is feeling anxious or stressed, your National Construction Council Benefits program offers free and confidential counselling services. Just call 1-800-661-8193.