Positivity and Health: How an Optimistic Outlook Can Improve Your Life

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

– Winston Churchill

Is the glass half-full? Is it half-empty? Does it even matter?

Absolutely.

In my journey with burnout, I learned the relationship between optimism and health. Early on, I suffered from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and burnout. I experienced every challenging emotion on the spectrum – loneliness, frustration, anger – and felt very much like a pessimist.

And I stayed that way for a while… Bedridden and isolated from the world.

Until I realized: I was choosing to feel this way. I was choosing to feel sorry for myself. I was choosing to stay stuck.

I didn’t want to feel that way anymore. I wanted to feel empowered again. Now, I choose to look at the glass half-full. Sure, my situation sucked. But positive change depended on ME taking action and having a positive outlook. 

And it worked. Through optimism and taking action, I healed from burnout and fibromyalgia.

Optimism saved me and it can rescue you from signs of burnout, as well.

What is Optimism?

Optimism is about staying hopeful and positive about your present and future.

But it’s more than a mindset shift. It’s a lifestyle change. Optimism can have a profound impact on your life satisfaction, how you make decisions, and what types of goals you embark on.

However, many pessimists and realists are skeptical of the benefits of optimism. They believe that optimists suffer from the Pollyanna Principle or positivity bias —  an unhealthy fixation on the positive while avoiding the negative. They prefer to feel happy instead of taking action and facing reality.

Sounds more like delusion and wishful thinking, right?

After all, how can optimism pay your bills? Or pick up the kids from school? Or restore peace to your chronic anxiety?

I felt that way until I discovered firsthand how life-changing optimism can be.

What Can Optimism Do For You?

Optimism benefits both your mental and physical well-being. Studies show that those who are more optimistic are at less risk of coronary heart disease. Another study shows that greater optimism can reduce the effects of chronic disease.

That’s right.

Optimism has a healing effect on your body!

By replacing my victim mentality with optimism, I was able to take charge of my burnout and fibromyalgia symptoms. This is because my new positive outlook changed the way I related to these symptoms and empowered me to take action through self-care.

When you embody positivity and optimism, you tend to live longer, you’re more likely to build healthy habits, and you cultivate greater resilience during hardships.

Are you ready to welcome more optimism into your life? Here’s how you can do it.

When you embody positivity and optimism, you tend to live longer, you’re more likely to build healthy habits, and you cultivate greater resilience during hardships. Share on X

4 Tips On How to Be More Optimistic 

#1 Practice Gratitude

When was the last time you sat in silence, appreciating the blessings that touch your life?

It may have been a while.

Your life often gets hectic. Your calendar is overbooked. You have obligations to fulfill and deadlines to meet.

In the hustle and bustle, you forget to simply appreciate.

Take a moment to do that right now. Ask yourself:

What are three positive things that happened today?

Make answering this question a daily habit. This simple activity will train your brain to actively seek out what’s right in your life, instead of dwelling on what’s wrong.

#2 Surround Yourself with Positive People

Jim Rohn said that you are the average of the five people you surround yourself with. If the people around you are constantly complaining, negative, and pessimistic, then you are more likely to exude those same characteristics.

Instead, set yourself up for success and wellness by associating with people who:

  • Set goals and take action
  • Choose optimism over pessimism
  • Encourage and uplift you
  • Cultivate a growth mindset
  • Build healthy habits

The friends and family you keep close to you can influence your daily habits and your overall well-being.

#3 Use Inspiring Affirmations

Pessimism affects more than how you perceive the people and world around you. It can also distort how you see yourself.

You put a magnifying glass over your flaws. You catalog your faults. You doubt your skills and potential.

Daily affirmations help you replace these pessimistic thoughts with more optimistic beliefs, by giving voice to reminders of your strength and worth. 

Every morning when you wake up and every evening before you go to sleep, look at yourself in the mirror and say:

I love myself. I respect myself. I accept myself. 

I am worthy of love and abundance.

I exude optimism, confidence, and self-compassion.

You might not believe the words at first, but they will eventually manifest into your reality. Over time, you will believe that you are worthy, valuable, and powerful. 

Optimism isn’t about overnight change. It’s about being open to positive change, even when your current situation is less than ideal.

#4 Be Solution-Oriented

Think about the last time something didn’t work out the way you wanted. It sucked, right? You might have felt discouraged. Perhaps you blamed the world for this setback.

It’s okay to process your emotions before taking action. Just keep in mind that the worst thing you can do in adversity is nothing.

Optimism is more than looking on the bright side. It also encourages you to take real action to effect positive change in your life.

Don’t let your temporary setbacks limit you. Instead, take back your power.

When you’re struggling with something, approach it as a challenge to solve. This perspective shift will keep you focused not on what happened to you, but rather what can you do about it?

Think about a setback you recently experienced. What action steps can you take to solve it? 

Optimism and Health Begins With Self-Love

The choice to be optimistic is an act of kindness we show ourselves.

Each time you express optimism, you’re choosing the glass half-full over half-empty. Choosing to keep going over giving up. Choosing positivity over cynicism.

Optimism also inspires you to make more empowering choices, even in hardship: choosing self-compassion and self-love over despair.

When you practice optimism and self-love, you welcome so many benefits into your life. That’s why I encourage you to claim my free gift, “From Burnout To Balance: A Simple 10-Minute Daily Self-Care Practice.”

This practice has been shown to:

  • Increase mindfulness, well-being, self-confidence, and personal power
  • Increase your ability to concentrate
  • Cultivate a greater resilience to stress, a positive mindset, and a sense of hopefulness and calm
  • Decrease stress and stress-related symptoms like frustration, mood swings, feelings of overwhelm or lack of control, anxiety, depression, low energy, headaches, body aches and pains, muscle tension, chest pain and rapid heartbeat, insomnia, and frequent colds and infections
  • Reduce or even stop worrying

Click here now to download your “From Burnout To Balance: A Simple 10-Minute Daily Self-Care Practice.”

Getting Downright Real: What Self-Care REALLY Means

Everywhere you look, you can learn new ways to practice self-care — books, blogs, videos, podcasts. You’ll find catchy headlines like… 

10 Ways to Take Care of Yourself 

5 Self-Care Tips That Will Revolutionize Your Life 

20 Daily Habits to Upgrade Your Self-Care Routine 

Self-care is trending, and for good reason. It helps you stay grounded, empowered, and most importantly — free from signs of burnout.

However, the media is skewing our perception of self-care. What comes to mind when you hear the word “self-care?” You might think of spas, scented bubble baths, or a shopping spree. 

The media offers only a limited version of self-care. There’s so much more to learn about what self-care really means.

The Truth: What Self-Care Really Means

You might believe that self-care is an indulgence — eating that extra red velvet cupcake, blowing your money on that new makeup palette, or staying out late to socialize. 

More often, this is treating yourself rather than practicing self-care.  Self-care is about respecting your mind and body. It’s more than rest and relaxation. It’s also challenging yourself to grow into the person you want to become. It’s about setting personal goals and achieving them.

While self-care can be enjoyable — a relaxing massage or sugary treat — it can also be difficult and uncomfortable.  

Self-Care Is Not Always Pretty or Fun 

Self-care can be unglamorous. Sometimes, it can be downright scary. 

It might test your limits. It may cause discomfort. But that’s sometimes necessary if you want to respect your body and achieve your goals.  

Yes, self-care might look like a deep-tissue massage after a stressful work week. But it can also look like: 

  • Getting honest with yourself about your finances by creating a budget 
  • Having a challenging conversation with your significant other because you’re unhappy 
  • Letting go of a toxic friend because their negativity is affecting your well-being 
  • Heading to the gym, despite wanting to lounge at home 
  • Seeing a therapist to unearth your suppressed emotions and insecurities

Some of these situations nudge you to travel outside your comfort zone. You may want to retreat and hide from the world. 

But, you see… 

That’s the truth about self-care. It’s the uncomfortable things you choose to do that help you to grow.

How to Implement Real Self-Care In Your Life

You might still be grappling with this new definition of self-care. It may be different from anything you’ve read before. To help you come to terms with this revelation and apply it in your life, I propose the following tips: 

#1 Make Real Self-Care Non-Negotiable

Do you want to know the secret to making self-care stick — even the activities you don’t like doing?

Make it a daily habit.

Self-care isn’t something you do when you feel like it. It isn’t like scheduling that two-week vacation each year. 

It’s a daily commitment.

It means doing both the things you want to do and the things that you don’t want to do every day

Self-care is indulging in a scented salt bath and walking 10,000 steps. It’s dressing up to feel beautiful and going to bed on time for a restful night’s sleep.

Most importantly, self-care is understanding the relationship between small habits and life-changing results over time. However, this positive shift happens only when self-care is non-negotiable in your daily life.

#2 Get Clear On Your Values

Instead of thinking of self-care as a list of things to check off, try seeing it as a lifestyle that aligns with your values. 

Take a moment to pause and reflect on your values.

If your current values are focused on health, how would that affect how you practice self-care? Yoga and resistance training would make sense, but indulging in a decadent slice of chocolate cake would not.

What if one of your values is around being an empowered career woman? Self-care can look like attending a conference to improve your skills. Staying out late and compromising your sleep, however, would likely conflict with this value.

Real self-care is different for each woman. Your values might be different from mine. What’s important is that you identify what your values are and how you can cater your habits to manifesting them.

#3 Use Self-Care as a Compass, Not an Escape

Have you ever skipped a workout and treated yourself to a night in with Netflix and pizza instead? Or put off working on a project because you felt that you deserved to grab drinks with your friends?

If you do this routinely, you might be using self-care as an escape — an excuse to avoid your responsibilities.

This is not self-care. This is avoidance and procrastination… and can actually cause more stress than relief.

Rather, self-care activities align with the life you’re hoping to achieve. If you want to be more healthy and energetic, then exercise will serve you well. If you want to get that promotion at work, then staying productive without procrastinating aligns with that goal.

Self-care is like a compass — the self-care habits you build will lead you to your destination.

Share below the one thing that you know you need to do. Then let me know, is this the day you’ll take action on it?

Self-care is like a compass — the self-care habits you build will lead you to your destination. Share on X

Get Started With Self-Love

Remember what I mentioned earlier about self-care being uncomfortable?

Here’s a question I have for you: Do you love yourself?

If you answered no, you’re not alone. Many women struggle with insecurities and low self-esteem. You might even feel that you’re undeserving of love from yourself.

But here’s the thing.

Self-care is both physical and emotional. You can apply a face mask to achieve glowing skin, but that does little to radiate genuine love towards yourself.

When you look in the mirror, I want you to love the woman looking back at you. To help manifest this in your reality, sign up for my free From Burnout to Balance 7-Day Self-Love Challenge.

During these 7 days, we’ll look at what’s really going on beneath the signs of burnout and I’ll give you simple strategies for how to turn things around so you can get on the path towards balance and enjoying your life (again). 

If you’re ready to break out of the burnout cycle and desire to be…

  • Relaxed and confident, knowing you’re tending to the most important priorities
  • Energized, clear and focused
  • Calm, easy-going and peaceful
  • Sleeping like a baby and waking up rested
  • Engaged, inspired and passionate about your life 

Join me by clicking here to sign up for my next From Burnout to Balance 7-Day Self-Love Challenge. It’s Free!

5 Self-Care Misconceptions: Are You Doing It Wrong?

Self-care is a trending topic right now. Articles, videos, and books flood the market, revealing so many ways for women to prioritize themselves.

It’s wonderful!

We’re increasing awareness of the relationship between self-care and burning out. That is, if you neglect taking care of yourself, you increase the risks of experiencing signs of burnout.

However, there are also some self-care misconceptions out there. Some companies and media outlets are actually missing the mark — reducing self-care to a pore-shrinking face mask or an excuse to treat yourself to a new outfit.

Self-care runs much deeper than that.

In this article, we’re debunking some self-care misconceptions and embracing the essence behind taking genuine care of yourself.

First Off, What is Self-Care?

Quite literally, self-care is taking care of yourself — your mind, body, spirit, and emotions. In an overworked culture where 96% of employees are burned out, self-care is especially critical to your well-being.

And self-care looks different for every woman.

For me, self-care is being mindful of how I care for myself daily, starting with a morning routine that grounds me and sets the tone for each day. I also take periodic breaks throughout the day to re-vitalize myself.

 What does self-care look like for you? Let me know in the comments below!

Whatever activity you enjoy, self-care is how you recharge your batteries. It helps you enjoy your life. It builds your resilience during hardship. And it strengthens your physical and mental well-being.

Whatever activity you enjoy, self-care is how you recharge your batteries. It helps you enjoy your life. It builds your resilience during hardship. And it strengthens your physical and mental well-being. Share on X

More importantly, self-care is necessary for a happy and fulfilling life.

But what happens when self-care is misinterpreted? 

What are the consequences when today’s trends skew your perception of self-care?

When Self-Care Gets Problematic for Women…

While contemporary culture has increased the popularity of self-care, it has also distorted it.

Women are often fed unrealistic or idealized versions of what taking care of yourself looks like. And some women use self-care as an excuse or escape from certain aspects of their lives.

My goal is to debunk these self-care myths. Also, I advocate that self-care is both essential and accessible to all women.

Coming up are five scenarios where self-care is actually misinterpreted and done wrong.

5 Self-Care Misconceptions to Watch Out For

#1 You Do It For Others 

The popularity of social media makes it tempting to share everything you do with your followers.

Online influencers flood the self-improvement industry with their morning routines, diet regimens, workout routines, and more.

From a self-care perspective, this may have a hidden consequence…

You obsess over likes and comments and lose sight of what’s truly important: your health and well-being. 

Remember: you practice self-care because you love and take care of yourself — not for the likes and comments.

#2 Self-Care Conflicts With Your Goals

You may not realize it, but you might be sabotaging your goals with self-care “treats.”

Let’s say your goal is to lose weight. After two weeks of dedicated diet and exercise, it’s tempting to reward yourself with a decadent (but calorie-rich and sugary) slice of cake. Your internal dialogue may eventually convince you that you deserve it. 

However, indulging your appetite is at odds with what you’re hoping to achieve: a healthier you.

Let’s use another example: you want more time for yourself because you’re often over-extended. Then you hear your friends are volunteering for a fundraiser event this weekend. Sounds like it’ll be fun and it’s for a good cause, right? You decide you’ll join.

But even that goes against your goal to recharge by taking away your “me” time.

Self-care is important. However, it must also align with your goals and lifestyle. 

Is your “self-care” moving you toward or away from your goals?

#3 You Put a Clever Disguise on Procrastination 

If you meditated, recited your affirmations, and soaked in a bubble bath, that’s wonderful! You must be feeling great. 

If you did all of that but neglected your responsibilities, then that’s not so wonderful.

Self-care can often be a pretty disguise for procrastination. 

Are you practicing self-care to relax and recharge? Or is it a convenient excuse to postpone your responsibilities?

Be honest with yourself about when it’s time to work and time to relax.

#4 You Make It Your Go-To Avoidance Tactic

Sometimes, we use self-care as a way to avoid something uncomfortable. 

For example, if you struggle with socializing, you might be tempted to isolate yourself all weekend and call it “me time” and “self-care.” 

If you make this behavior a habit, you may be using “self-care” to mask your fear of social interaction.

When this happens, you close opportunities to challenge yourself.

Self-care isn’t strictly rest and relaxation. It can also be an opportunity for personal growth. In this scenario, self-care might actually look like scheduling coffee with a close friend to slowly overcome your social anxiety.

#5 You Attach a Price Tag

Businesses are capitalizing on the self-care trends you see on social media. That’s why industries, like skincare and fashion, are booming. Businesses want women to look and feel great when buying their products.

However, you don’t need to spend buckets of money to take care of yourself.

Self-care doesn’t have to be an expensive retreat to a tropical climate. It doesn’t have to be a luxurious day at the spa either. 

Self-care can be as simple as enjoying ten minutes of silence. Or improving your sleep quality by heading to bed an hour earlier. Even going for a walk outside can be considered self-care!

Taking care of yourself can be both nourishing AND free.

What free or low-cost self-care activities do you practice? I’d love to know!

When Self-Care is Done Right…

When you make self-care a top priority, you’ll notice a positive shift in your life.

Your mood lifts. You’re more resilient. You find fulfillment in life. Your overall well-being improves.

That’s the power of self-care.

And I want to help you achieve those amazing benefits with my free From Burnout to Balance 7-Day Self-Love Challenge

During these 7 days, we’ll look at what’s really going on beneath the signs of burnout and I’ll give you simple strategies for how to turn things around so you can get on the path towards balance and enjoying your life (again). 

If you’re ready to break out of the burnout cycle and desire to be…

  • Relaxed and confident, knowing you’re tending to the most important priorities
  • Energized, clear and focused
  • Calm, easy-going and peaceful
  • Sleeping like a baby and waking up rested
  • Engaged, inspired and passionate about your life 

Join me by clicking here to sign up for my next From Burnout to Balance 7-Day Self-Love Challenge. It’s Free!

How to Manage Overwhelm So You Don’t Burnout

“You can’t calm the storm, so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass.” 

~ Timber Hawkeye

Overwhelm can feel like weathering a storm with your endless responsibilities swirling around you.

You have emails to answer. Dinner to put on the table. Children to pick up. People to please.

Where do you even begin?

The stress is enough to make you want to retreat under the bed covers and escape the world, even for a moment.

Fortunately, there’s no need to run away. You can learn how to manage overwhelm so you don’t burn out with a few tips you can start being in action with today.

Are you ready to calm the raging storm?

Let’s get started.

What Are the Symptoms of Overwhelm?

Symptoms of overwhelm often manifest during busy or difficult stages of your life. It can affect your mind and body in the following ways:

  • Anxiety
  • Muscle tension or bracing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Brain fog
  • Irritability
  • Forgetfulness
  • Cluttered mind
  • Difficulty sleeping 

It’s normal to experience these symptoms every once in a while. However, if these symptoms are the “new norm” for you, then there’s an underlying cause you might need to address.

Why Do You Feel Overwhelmed All the Time?

Overwhelm often happens when you’re faced with more than you can handle. 

You might be feeling overwhelmed at work when you set unrealistic expectations for yourself. Or maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed with life in general because you give away too much of your time and energy.

Another reason for your overwhelm is because self-care is optional for you. You neglect your mind, body, and spirit as you work through the stress. Your mind goes into overdrive and your body buckles under the pressure and stress.

If you’re not careful and do this for too long, you’ll eventually suffer from signs of burnout

What is Overwhelm Really?

In life, you transition between stages of busy periods and rest periods. However, poor actions and habits that stem from poor planning can make those busy periods more stressful than necessary. Share on X

Overwhelm is a temporary state of being, often affected by how you manage your time and energy.

In life, you transition between stages of busy periods and rest periods. However, poor actions and habits that stem from poor planning can make those busy periods more stressful than necessary.

The secret to avoiding and recovering from overwhelm is to introduce new habits that improve your productivity, resilience to stress, and self-esteem.

How to Manage Overwhelm

Here are a few tips to help you conquer overwhelm and reclaim your life.

#1 Maintain an Evening Routine

Mornings are often the busiest and most stressful part of the day. 

You’re rushing to get ready for work, dress the children for school, pack lunches, and make it out the door in time. The clock is ticking.

Instead of rushing through a stressful morning, ease into it by following an evening routine. By doing the following tasks the evening before, you can kickstart your mornings: 

  • School and work lunches
  • Lay out your clothes 
  • Create an agenda for the next day’s schedule
  • Quickly tidy up around the house
  • Meditate to calm your busy mind
  • Review your goals
  • Set a bedtime to improve your sleep

Avoid burning out by beginning each day rested, prepared, and ready to go.

#2 Say No

Reduce overwhelm by screening the people and tasks that enter your life.

To do this, start with identifying your priorities and values.

My top three priorities are self-care, family, and helping my clients thrive. When somebody asks me to do something that doesn’t align with my priorities and values, I give myself permission to say “no.” Doing this helps me set healthy boundaries and avoid unnecessary obligations that can lead to burnout.

What priorities do you carry in your life? Is what you’re doing and how you’re living aligning with those priorities?

#3 Outsource What You Can

Trying to do everything yourself puts you on the fast track to burnout.

Accept that sometimes you can’t do it all and that’s okay.

If you need a helping hand, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Also, if you have the means, you can outsource some of your responsibilities.

For example, you can save time by getting your groceries delivered to you each week. Or you can hire a nanny to offload some of your caretaking responsibilities.

If you’re a business owner, you can delegate administrative tasks like handling emails and data entry to a virtual assistant.

List your own work and personal responsibilities. What tasks can you outsource to make your life easier or more efficient?

#4 Take a Walk in the Park 

At work, you think about your unanswered emails and looming deadlines. At home, you focus on cooking dinner, washing laundry, and cleaning.

You feel guilty about taking a break because you know that there’s always something that needs doing. This is because your environment is a visual reminder of the work that awaits you.

To help clear your mind, try introducing a change of scenery. Leave your phone at home and go for a 30-minute walk in the park. Enjoy the warm sunshine on your face and savor the fresh air filling your lungs.

Changing your physical location can ease your overwhelm and lift your mood. And taking regular walks in the park can improve your health and protect you from burnout.

Overcome Overwhelm with Self-Love

Overwhelm can sometimes feel like a raging storm that will never end. Instead of “escaping” the storm, learn how to weather it and do better next time.

However, this requires you to forgive and love yourself when you make mistakes. And that’s often difficult to do — especially when you have a world of responsibilities weighing on your shoulders.

That’s why I want you to sign up for my free From Burnout to Balance 7-Day Self-Love Challenge.

During these 7 days, we’ll look at what’s really going on beneath the signs of burnout and I’ll give you simple strategies for how to turn things around so you can get on the path towards balance and enjoying your life (again). 

If you’re ready to break out of the burnout cycle and desire to be…

  • Relaxed and confident, knowing you’re tending to the most important priorities
  • Energized, clear and focused
  • Calm, easy-going and peaceful
  • Sleeping like a baby and waking up rested
  • Engaged, inspired and passionate about your life 

Join me by clicking here to sign up for my next From Burnout to Balance 7-Day Self-Love Challenge. It’s Free!

How to Maintain a Healthy Work/Life Balance When Working From Home

Do you work from home? If so, you’re not alone. A study from the US Census shows that nearly eight million people work from home. Technology is making it easier for people to do everything traditionally done in the office from the comfort of their homes. 

Working from home gives you the added perk of saving time spent doing your hair and makeup, commuting and chatting with your co-workers at the water cooler.

However, there’s a downside to remote working: burnout.

In this article, I’ll be sharing some challenges of remote working and tips for improving your work/life balance when working from home.

Work/Life Balance: Working from Home vs. Working at the Office

Modern women are expanding their roles from traditional caregivers to doctors, CEOs, and more. However, this role expansion can expose you to signs of burnout, as you struggle to balance your work life with your personal life AND self-care. 

Working from home, especially, can present the following obstacles when maintaining a healthy work/life balance:

  • You’re exposed to more distractions at home in the form of unopened mail, clutter, ringing doorbells, and children playing outside
  • Separating your home life and work life is difficult when both share the same space
  • You can start feeling isolated if you work from home with limited social interactions
  • A combination of these challenges and more can lead to burnout

Do you work from home and struggle with something else? Let me know in the comments below.

My Work/Life Balance System 

Here are systems I personally use that you can apply in your own life to stay burnout-free.

Ease Into the Morning

Before I begin my workday, I give myself an hour to center myself and engage in my spiritual practices

  • Diffusing essential oils 
  • Meditating 
  • Reciting affirmation cards 
  • Journaling

These practices help me to greet the day at my own pace. Instead of rushing, I enjoy the morning silence with calm intention. This is why I rarely schedule early morning appointments with my clients. Before I give my time away to others, I first give time to myself. 

Even Though I Work at Home, I Still Have Work Hours 

Even Though I Work at Home, I Still Have Work Hours. Share on X

My secret to staying productive is sticking to a set work schedule.

Imagine working only when you felt like it?

I don’t think I’d ever leave my warm cozy bed! Sticking to a work schedule helps you “leave home” to start the workday. 

If you’re wondering how to structure your day working from home, here’s what a typical workday looks like for me…

> 8:30 AM- Work begins with answering emails, handling urgent tasks, and taking client appointments

> 12:00 PM –  Take a lunch break

> 1:00 PM – Continue working

> 3:30 PMExercise and get my heart pumping

> 4:30 PMContinue working

> 6:30 PMDinner and relax with my husband and cat

Structuring your day helps you stay intentional when it’s time to work, be with family, and wind down. Having a plan for navigating your day helps you create more balance and protect yourself from burnout.

What does your work from home schedule look like? Are you an early bird or do you prefer to work from the afternoon into the evening?

A DO NOT DISTURB Sign Keeps Me Focused (when I use it)

My biggest distraction is my husband, who likes to visit me while I’m working (and when he’s not traveling). When I’m on the phone with a client, I have to signal to him that I can’t talk right now. 

If your spouse or small children are at home while you’re working, consider putting a sign on your office door that says DO NOT DISTURB

This small tip can make a huge difference. It reminds your family that even though they’re home and relaxing, you’re still “working at the office.”

I Set Alarms to Keep My Day Flowing

Working from home, you don’t have somebody to tell you when to work on something else or to take your breaks. You’re responsible for that. 

And when you’re deeply focused on work, it’s easy to forget! 

That’s why I set alarms for everything — when to take breaks, respond to emails, prepare for a client call, and when to end the workday.

This little alarm helps me fend off burnout by helping me balance work, self-care, and relaxation.

Set a Strict Cut-off Time for Work

Striking a healthy work/life balance can be difficult when your home and work share a space. This makes it easy to sacrifice relaxation to sneak in a few email responses or get a headstart on tomorrow’s workload.

That’s why I set a strict cut-off time for work. I know that whatever tasks come in during the evening can wait until the morning. Until then, I dedicate my time and energy to quality time with my husband and cat.

If you’re still having trouble “leaving work,”  try going outside for a walk. When you step outside, imagine you’re leaving the office and when you return, imagine that you’ve arrived at home. Also, creating a designated work area that you physically leave makes separating work from home easier. These extra steps can help prime your mind and body for relaxation.

Do you have any other tips to share with your fellow home-workers to help them achieve better work/life balance? Leave them in the comments below!

Self-Love is Critical to a Healthy Work/Life Balance, Especially When Working from Home

Working from home can save you tons of time that would otherwise be spent on commuting and engaging in office gossip. 

If you’re a workaholic and recovering perfectionist, like me, then it’s easy to use that time and dive into more and more work.

However, devoting too much of your time to work can tip your life out of balance. Instead, give that time to the other areas of your life — family, relationships, health, and most importantly self-care.

Caring and loving your body is the catalyst that sparks positive change in your life. That’s why I want to share a special challenge with you: my free From Burnout to Balance 7-Day Self-Love Challenge.

During these 7 days, we’ll look at what’s really going on beneath the signs of burnout and I’ll give you simple strategies for how to turn things around so you can get on the path towards balance and enjoying your life (again). 

If you’re ready to break out of the burnout cycle and desire to be…

  • Relaxed and confident, knowing you’re tending to the most important priorities
  • Energized, clear and focused
  • Calm, easy-going and peaceful
  • Sleeping like a baby and waking up rested
  • Engaged, inspired and passionate about your life 

Join me by clicking here to sign up for my next From Burnout to Balance 7-Day Self-Love Challenge. It’s Free!

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