All work and no play isn’t good for anyone, which is why it’s so important for accountants to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Sometimes, it takes a lot of intentionality and practice to really set your work aside and prioritize your own health… but it’s absolutely worth it! When work becomes your only priority, your family life, mental health, and quality of life can suffer. So, here are some tips from your friends here at Aero on how to maintain a healthy balance between work and home. Having some fun outside the office might even help you be more productive on workdays!
Be Kind to Yourself
The first step in achieving a healthy work-life balance is learning to put yourself first. It can be difficult, especially if you are part of a small firm or are a sole practitioner, to step back and put your work aside. There are people relying on you, after all; the survival of a business is on your shoulders. However, you can only work as well as you feel. Focus on yourself and learn to recognize the signs of impending burnout. Then, allow yourself to take the time and space you need.
Enjoy Your Time Off
Life is precious, and spending all your time at the office can mean missing out on life’s important moments. That doesn’t just mean milestones like weddings and graduations. When was the last time you got lunch with your friends or allowed yourself to spend time on one of your hobbies? In order to have a healthy relationship at work, let yourself have fun outside of the office. You don’t have to feel guilty for enjoying things you love or putting off answering emails until Monday morning. In fact, the more satisfying and fulfilling your free time is, the more productive you’ll be when it counts!
Breaks are also a great time to prioritize yourself! Instead of organizing paperwork during your lunch break, read that book you haven’t had time to get to or take a relaxing walk. Listen to a podcast or watch an episode of that show you started binging Saturday. You can even use your breaks as an opportunity to call a friend or family member to catch up!
Set Boundaries
Boundaries are essential for all relationships, including those between you and your clients and coworkers. Set a time aside for answering emails and don’t open your inbox outside of that time. Let people know which ways they should communicate with you. For example, texting rather than emailing or sending messages through a work channel is a way work can encroach on your personal life. Also, don’t be afraid to communicate when you are overwhelmed at work and need some help tackling a project.
Your mental health is important, and failing to prioritize yourself can lead to burnout. We know your work is important to you, but we also know the happiest version of you is the best version! When you take care of yourself, it’s much easier to produce quality work for your clients.
The balance won’t be perfect from the start. In fact, it’s best to start small. If you set too many resolutions all at once, you can be easily overwhelmed. But if you try tackling just one healthy habit this week, you can set yourself on a path toward a work-life balance that’s perfect for you.
We hope these strategies help you enjoy a happy, healthy, and productive 2023! Let us know what goals you’re setting this year and how you prioritize yourself during tax season.
