Work/Life Balance: How Do You Measure Up?

“Work–life balance” is defined as prioritizing between “work” (career, financial needs) on one hand and “life” (family, leisure, spiritual development) on the other hand. Balancing work and life is not easy in today’s corporate world where the bottom line is often given priority over employee welfare.

Lack of balance can lead to burnout and absenteeism, as well as physical ailments such as cardiovascular disease, a weaker immune system, and overall poor health. Many people try to alleviate these stressors with things like binge eating or abusing alcohol and/or tobacco, all of which lead to more health problems.

While you may not have control over your driving schedule, there are some simple measures you can take to release stressors and gain control of your life:

1. Leave your work at work! At home, make time for the activities you enjoy. The more control you have, the less time you have to be stressed.
2. Let it go! You can’t control how others behave. You can, however, control how you respond to the behavior of others. Keep your emotions in check and avoid becoming stressed/angry/upset at other people’s behavior.
3. Eat a healthy diet. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and complex carbs keep you balanced mentally and physically.
4. Include physical activity in your life. Yes, you can do that even while on the road. This can be as simple as taking a brisk walk around the truck stop parking lot.
5. Get restful sleep, and enough of it. Cutting your sleep by even a couple of hours can affect your stress levels.
6. Know when to seek professional help. If your life becomes too chaotic to manage, don’t be afraid to talk to a professional. Your employer may have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), or you can access the DriversWellness.com website and click on the link to Lighthouse Network, a professional counseling service.

In future blogs, DriversWellness.com will feature more information on how to follow these tips. We live in a stressful society. What are some of the ways you release stress? Comment here.

For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.

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