Many companies are now facing and executing significant layoffs. Not only does this cause havoc for the ones ‘laid-off’, it also creates an enormous burden on the ones left behind.
With increased responsibilities being placed on workers, stress becomes even more of a problem.
Added to that are the on-going responsibilites at home — tighter squeeze on the home pocket book, greater stress being felt by everyone, people are looking for a way out. Sometimes an escape is what is needed. Other times, that might not be a possibility.
How to deal with this?
We at Fun-Wey have put together a list of 10 ways to balance all the things you do that fall into the category of work/responsibility with all the things that are ‘fun’ — the things we call PLAY.
Take a look below:
1. First of all, sit down as a family and look at the distribution of work-load. Is everyone doing their fair share? Has one person’s load increased far more than the others’? If so, can you spread it out more evenly? While doing this consider not just work obligations, but also think about each person’s other ‘out-of-the-home’ involvements, such as choir, coaching soccer, volunteering at the food bank, etc. Remember to honestly look at the energy that these things require, and weigh that against the energy that needs to go to everything else.
We recommend doing this on an annual basis, but when something major changes in your family life, it is extremely important to do so.
2. Next, talk about the kinds of things that you’re doing as a family that are fun. Do you go swimming at the local rec centre weekly? Does the family honour the Friday night ‘pizza and a movie’ tradition? Do you have guests for dinner on a regular basis? Are there annual vacations? As a unit, the family needs to consider the importance of those stress relieving activities and make sure that enough of them are in place.
3. Of course, both of the above conversations will involve talking about money — is there enough for this year’s treck to Disneyland, or the kids’ annual camp week? Do Mom and Dad still have a date night at least once a month? What kinds of activities can you do as individuals, as a couple and as a family that don’t put a squeeze on the wallet, but still intrigue and excite you?
4. Get the entire family involved in planning a monthly event that is FREE — this could be going for a walk on the SeaWall (if you live near water), sharing dinner as a picnic on the living room floor complete with blankets, kool-aid, and sandwiches, or having a night of board games or cards. These kind of events — by their very nature — take your mind off everything else, and provide you with a couple of hours of stress-free time.
5. If your new responsibilities at work necessitate overtime, sit down with a financial planner to see if the extra hours actually result in any substantial increase in your income. Often the additional income puts you into a new tax-bracket and the larger portion of your added income goes out in deductions. Too, sometimes longer hours result in added costs — more meals out, higher child care costs; when that happens, you are not further ahead and should decline the extra hours (if that is an option.)
6. Find ways to cut costs at home — this can be a really fun activity! Once again, we recommend getting the whole family involved. Kids can take on part-time jobs like mowing the neighbour’s lawn or raking leaves or shovelling snow. After school child care might be shared with a friend or neighbour. Teach your kids to turn off lights, tv’s and other appliances that are not in use — save on your monthly bill. Maybe you are paying too much in telephone, internet costs, or cable costs. Sometimes your provider will bundle these services in cost-saving plan that might leave a few extra dollars in your pocket.
Then, as a family, see how much your total savings add up and decide how to spend them — get a new, more energy efficient refrigerator, a more fuel-efficient car, or start using public transportation. There may be enough savings to enable your entire family to plan a great vacation together.
7. Make sure that you are doing something stress-less EACH DAY! Just like prayer or meditation, a time for fun is a daily must. Perhaps you go for a quiet solitary walk on your lunch, or head to the library for an interesting talk. Perhaps you do something different at the end of the day — go for a swim, head out for a ‘pole-dancing’ class or stroll through a local garden centre for inspiration. Whatever it is, that break will do wonders for your breathing, your stress levels, and your state of mind. Set an example for your family and encourage all of them to do the same.
8. Take time to give. I know, it sometimes seems like all you do is ‘give’, but look at giving in a different way. One of the things we decided to do this year was become involved in a local ‘feed the unsheltered homeless’ program. Once a month the adults in our family, along with the older children donate a few hours on a Saturday to provide meals for this unfortunate group. It completely changes your perspective. And helps the kids realize how good they actually have it. It makes a warm cozy bed seem like a luxury, and a hot shower something to really appreciate. And it helps you prioritize those things that are important to your family, as a family.
9. Honour the ‘joker’ in the family. Every family seems to have one — you know the member I mean. In our family we have more than one. They are always saying or doing the most ridiculous things. The more serious members get their knickers in a knot and start huffing and chuffing. It’s so beneficial to the entire family when we can actually laugh at the silliness. We once worked with a lady who did all kinds of silly things — tied balloons to her glasses and walked around the office just to hear the snickers and giggles. Even a few moments of silliness will re-energize you. So let loose.
10. On that same note, organize theme dinners and parties. Encourage your friends or neighbours to ‘play’ too. Have everyone bring a pot-luck Saturday dinner and wear their silliest hat. Or something outrageously orange! Or pink socks. As you chat and giggle together, you’ll find yourself bonding with one another, creating memories that are wonderful, and forgetting about work. What could be better?
We hope these ideas will start you thinking about your own ways to balance work and play. If you think of other ones, better ones, or have a story to tell about your family’s successes, please feel free to share them — we’d love to hear about them.
Linda has been coaching and counselling women and care-givers for over 5 years. Her clients come with fear, guilt and a complete lack of spontaneity. They end up with a sense of freedom, FUN, and play.
Most clients report that they sleep better and feel more alive after working with FUN-Wey. For a free sample coaching session, visit http://www.fun-wey.com/sample.html
Article Source: Ten Ways to Balance Work with Play
