As the school year begins to wind down, the beginning of outdoor sporting events, end of the year festivities, and special fields trips begin to take over daily space on your calendar. Although this is an exciting time of year, as working parents – it also can mean added stress and extra juggling of multiple projects between home life and the office.
Extra activities inevitably lead to burnout, which can make relationships suffer and lead to health problems.
Fortunately there are several steps that you can do to improve your state of mind and help to make you feel more in control of your life –
1~ Make a Schedule. Instead of starting each morning with a cup of coffee in one hand while answering emails with the other before the sun even rises – take a few minutes to make a daily list. By doing this quick task you will feel more able to easily manage the day’s activities and feel in control.
2~ Eliminate Distractions. Constant interruptions make concentration next to impossible to achieve. Learn to fully focus at the task at hand by shutting your office door or turning your phone to voice mail for an hour.
3~ Say No. Saying no is one of the hardest things to do. We feel that we are letting people down by not helping out when asked. However spreading ourselves to thin does not help either – not allowing us to fully concentrate on any specific project or give it our undivided attention. If you already have a full plate, gracefully declining taking on an added task is not disrespectful – it’s the proper thing to do for your own sanity.
4~ Take Breaks. When logging in long days at the office and then putting in countless hours at the school 
soccer or track field, remember to take breaks throughout the day. Take a short walk and let your brain relax, which will help you focus better when you return to the task at hand. Stop for a coffee break during the commute home, allowing yourself a treat so that you don’t bring office stress home to the evening family activities.
5~ Take Care of Yourself. A lack of sleep and meals out of the vending machine are not a good lifestyle to live and will not help you with productivity. Remember to try to get to sleep at a decent hour, spend quality time with love ones and maintain a healthy diet.
6~ Ask For Help. If you are trying to keep up but still feel like you are burning the candle at both ends, remember that your boss may not realize that you are feeling overwhelmed. Although asking for help is usually a difficult task for most of us, sometimes a short meeting with your boss, explaining your workload can mean identifying a solution together.
Living a life of feeling constantly frazzled and unhappy is not truly living. It’s time to take charge and look for a proactive solution that pays off, helping you enjoy both office and home life a lot more – no matter how busy it may get.
