achieving work-life balance

Having work-life balance isn't just something to think about, but something you should take steps to achieve. Breaking the constant cycle of working with hobbies, vacation, and any other activities or experiences that you're passionate about will help you be happier, healthier, and productive at work. When your entire identity isn't wrapped up in a single job, you build both your confidence and your resiliency.

Source: Flazingo Photos on Flickr

physical effort

If your work involves being on your feet for most of the day, or heavy lifting, be sure that your employer is taking steps to preserve your health. Pay attention to warning signs like persistent aches and pains, especially sharp pains, and take advantage of your company health plan to see a spine doctor or chiropractor, physical therapist, massage therapist, or to develop a plan to maintain your physical health. Companies now, more than ever, know the value of wellness at work and medical prevention pay off in the long run with healthier employees. Having insurance cover regular chiropractor visits is cheaper than covering a workers compensation case!

leave work at work

Being able to leave work at work is a key part of work-life balance. If you sign off at work, commute home in rush-hour traffic just to open up your laptop at home, take a step back and re-evaluate. Are you imposing these long work hours on yourself? Does your manager expect these extra hours from your team? 

If it's hard to leave work at work for external reasons - because your company's culture expects it - consider meeting with your boss to re-evaluate the work environment, or look for a better work culture.

If you're imposing these extra hours on yourself, it could be taking a negative toll on your mental health. Finding a licensed therapist or social worker in your area to speak with is a great way to sort out what you need. It's hard for us to see the gaps and whirlwinds in our own life, and having an impartial party help us work through and identify goals is a key step towards improving mental health.

living your best life

A big push these days has been away from consumerism and towards value of experiences, not things. Craft your bucket list and search for these experiences as vacation - hot air balloons, race car driving, swimming with dolphins - vacation websites, Groupon, there are many services that can help you step back from work and improve your happiness.