When finishing work, do you often find yourself answering the odd text or stressing over tasks you’re yet to complete? If so, you’re certainly not alone. Time away from work is so important to rest and recharge, both mentally and physically, and without this you can lead to feeling burnt-out. Perhaps this is something you’re aware of, however with many facing a cost-of-living crisis, and having other expenses that take priority, spending money on a weekend getaway is not always an option. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to take fancy dinners and expensive activities to have fun and relax. Here are some simple and affordable tips to fix your work-life balance on a budget:
Adapt your work ethic
Adapting your work ethic is the first step on the road to relaxation outside of work. I understand it can be difficult to switch off after a busy day, especially in the hospitality industry, however trying these small changes within your work ethic can have a big impact.
- Set boundaries. The most important boundary is the one between you and your work. Unless there is an emergency or you’re explicitly needed, when you’re at home, practice being able to disconnect and give yourself the rest you need. Unless it’s important, most things can wait until you’re next at work.
- Get scheduling. By using schedules and lists throughout your workday you can tackle high priority tasks with more efficiency and aim to complete them within work hours. Depending on your position, you can also schedule time with your team to help them if needed, lowering the risk of people falling behind.
- Communicate with your team. Maintaining a healthy relationship with colleagues will ease tension and boost productivity at work, which can result in less stress and work for you when you get home.
With certain situations, having the ability to adapt your work ethic is a powerful tool that can clear up both your headspace and free time, paving a path to a stress-free personal life.
Struggling with burnout? Why not read more about how to overcome burnout here or listen to Paddy from So Let’s Talk on the Behind the Bar Podcast talk about how to best help yourself when it comes to burnout.
Make “me time” mandatory
Don’t underestimate the importance of “me time” and self-care. Do the things you love and unwind, without focusing on anything or anyone else. This could include cooking a tasty meal from scratch and watching your favourite show for hours on end. The great thing about “me time” is that YOU have complete control of what it involves. Use this time to create a self-care schedule that works for you and make it a daily routine to destress from work. Remember: this is all about being stress free! If you struggle developing a new routine, then start small. You could try:
- having a relaxing bath
- reading a book
- eating a tasty dinner
- making time for hobbies and creativity
Give different things a go, and eventually you’ll find a perfect routine.
Re-connect with nature
Going for a walk or spending time in nature can be both fun and relaxing, and the best part is you can do it for completely free! Good weather certainly helps, but blue skies or not I recommend giving a few of these a try:
- Visit local public areas such as parks, forests, or gardens, and make the time to visit them either independently, or with friends and family.
- Exercise in nature. If your physically able to, try cycling, running, or walking outside.
- Combine a hobby with the outdoors. This could involve photography, art, writing, reading, or playing a sport outside.
Both spending time in nature and exercising has been scientifically proven to increase serotonin levels and endorphin production. Not to mention the healthy boost in vitamin D you can get if the sun decides to make an appearance!
Stay social
Your usual days off and holiday allowance are the longest breaks from work and guaranteed time off. Therefore, you should view these days as a pivotal part of your work life balance, ensuring that you spend them prioritising what’s important to you. I recommend making time to be social, however if you’d prefer to stay at home to relax all weekend, there’s no harm in doing that. If you’d prefer to do something social, or work stress does manage to creep up on you, then you could:
- Have fun with friends. Arrange to meet up with friends in person, whether it’s a simple coffee or something livelier.
- Make plans to visit family, either by popping over to their house, arranging a local walk or meetup, or inviting them to see you.
- Visit social places. A job in hospitality can sometimes mean awkward work schedules, which can lead to struggles when making plans with friends and family. In situations like this, I recommend using apps such as Eventbrite to visit local events or book days out to museums and other social places. Socialising doesn’t require you to be in a big group, something as simple as a trip to a nearby event or a day in your local town centre can still be beneficial to your social life.
Being social is not only important for work-life balance; it’s also key for overall mental wellbeing. Socialising reduces stress and boosts your mood, decreasing feelings of anxiety, isolation and loneliness. If you feel like current financial situations are stopping you from socialising, there are plenty of cost-effective alternatives. For example, if your friends are planning a costly night out, suggest staying in together at someone’s house instead. If they’re good friends, you could explain your financial situation and most likely they’ll understand the circumstances.
If you are struggling financially, please do not hesitate to contact our partners at the Licensed Trade Charity, or read our blog on Managing on a Lower Income.
