7 Ways to Slow Down & Regain Balance

When the work-life balance starts to falter, trying any of these 7 restorative practices can reset the scales.

By Lani Aquino

The life of the busy professional can be pretty overwhelming. There seems to be a constant Go, Go, Go! chant repeating in the background, but all that tireless activity can quickly lead to a resounding Stop! To avoid hitting a metaphorical wall, it’s important to incorporate some practices that can help a person apply the brakes and regain some much needed balance.

Slowing down may seem counterintuitive to someone with an overloaded to-do list, but taking the time to reset will actually increase productivity and drive moving forward. Too much of any one thing is unhealthy, and professional pursuits are no exception. Without a mindful reset, burnout and dissatisfaction will inevitably be encountered in the near future.

These 7 practices can help a person slow down and regain their footing both personally and professionally. While incorporating all would be amazing, trying one or two is a more practical approach. The process/activity chosen isn’t necessarily the key; the focus is on the effects resulting from utilizing the restorative practice.

1. 15-Minute Refresh- Take 15 minutes in the morning, during the day, or in the evening to do something of your own choosing. This can be exercise, meditation, journaling, etc., but these are 15 minutes that you give to yourself with no exceptions.
2. Do Not Disturb- This is a feature that can be used on smartphones or it can be a simple sign hung on an office door for a set window of time. When everyone else is making demands on a person’s time, it can be hard for that person to attend to her own needs. Using a Do Not Disturb feature for a set portion of a workday or a set time outside of the office is a great way to ensure that a person can focus on his own priorities on a daily basis.
3. Reminder Apps- Work and life overload can often be aided with a few key reminders. Whether it’s an app with reminders for drinking water or an app that sends calendar reminders, having some help in keeping all the ins and outs of daily life straight can be priceless.
4. Email Management- Finding ways to make the inundation of email more manageable can be a true lifesaver. Setting specific windows for checking/replying or simply adopting new ways of navigating the inbox can make a world of difference.
5. Meal Service- There are a lot of meal services out there for good reason. Subscribing to a service can be a multi-layered win. It cuts out a trip to the store, offers an activity to do with family, and puts a healthy meal on the table.
6. Breathe- Literally, just breathe, and take the time to learn to do it right! With apps like Breathe Deep: Meditation Breath, this will be a breeze.
7. Recurring Event- Creating a recurring event either once a week or once a month can be a great restorative practice. This event could be a class, a family game night, a book club, dinner & a movie, etc. A recurring event offers something to look forward to and can be a great way to stay social outside of the professional realm.

How a person slows down isn’t nearly as important as a person recognizing the need to do so and acting on it. Restorative practices are like pause buttons for the overwhelming to-do list that is often daily life. Incorporating time to slow down allows a person to regain their footing and reset the scales of work-life balance.

For more on quality leadership practices, subscribe to The Instructional Leadership Channel.

Dynamix LLC is here to help busy professionals find restorative balance and success! #reclaimyourlife#leadershipdevelopment