"I can't balance my work and personal life, which is affecting my mental health."
Problem:
"I can't balance my work and personal life, which is affecting my mental health."
Problem details:
Name: Marcos Rossi
Profession: Software Engineer
Country: Italy
City: Rome
Marcos Rossi is a skilled software engineer who spends hours every day in front of his laptop. His workload is so heavy that it is almost impossible to find time for his personal life. By the time he finishes his office work, it is already late, so he doesn't get to spend time with his family, meet up with friends, or do anything for himself.
Every day, he has to wake up and rush to the office, be immersed in work, and go to bed tired at night—this is how his life goes. For some time now, he has been feeling that his mental stress is increasing, he is not finding pleasure in anything like before, and he feels depressed.
Marcos understands that work is an important part of his life, but if it becomes his whole life, he will no longer have peace in his personal life. But he doesn't understand how to maintain balance.
Now his question to Askly Help:
"How can I balance my work and personal life, so that I can reduce stress and enjoy life more?"
Askly Help's solution:
Dear Marcos,
Your problem is familiar to many—especially in this day and age, when technology has made our work easier but has taken away our personal time. But the good news is, it's possible to restore this balance if you can consciously make some changes.
1. Create boundaries between work and personal time.
Since you are a software engineer, your work hours are not fixed and can vary from day to day. So first, set a specific time for yourself—like 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. No office emails or calls will be accepted after work.
2. Learn to say 'no'
Sometimes we take on too much pressure at work because we can't say 'no'. But it's very important, especially when it comes to your own peace of mind and personal life. Ask for help from colleagues when you need it and don't feel pressured to do everything yourself.
3. Stay away from technology for a while.
Spending all day in front of screens doesn't give our brain a rest. Set aside a specific time of day to stay away from phones, laptops, and other digital devices. Take a digital detox for at least 1-2 hours in the evening or at night—it will be amazingly beneficial for your mental health.
4. Value personal time
Just like you schedule time for work, schedule time for yourself. During this time, do what you love—read a book, watch a movie, exercise, or spend time with loved ones.
5. Take care of your body and mind.
Health is the foundation of everything. Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day, get enough sleep, and eat healthy foods. Also, practice meditation or mindfulness—this will help reduce your stress.
6. Have 'Me Time' at least one day a week
Set aside at least one day a week entirely for yourself—where there will be no work, only rest, joy, and the opportunity to relax.
Last words:
Your work is very important, but it can never be your whole life. Learn to enjoy life, because in the end, our happiness is what matters most.
I hope these tips are useful to you. Good luck to you!
- Askly Help