We’ve all heard these words thrown around, but what on earth do they mean and how in Gawd’s name do you achieve them?

Achieving a healthy work / life balance is vital not only for yourself, but also for the rest of your company! If you think you’re on your way to professional burn-out, then we’re sorry to let you know that you’re more than likely producing less than par work, affecting both team and company moral and doing yourself a massive disservice!

So, because we care (seriously, we do) we’ve listed 20 tips below on how you can ensure you are creating a healthy work / life balance before it’s too late:

1. Prioritise / organise your time with lists

Lists are the key to success and prioritising your workload is fundamental to ensuring that you are working on the right things in times of stress.

2. Understand your “peak performance time”

Are you a morning person or an afternoon person? Learn this about yourself and tailor your day to ensure you’re working on the big stuff when your brain is it’s happiest.

3. Make sure you take your lunch break!

Too many people eat lunch over their keyboard. It’s unhealthy, people. Take your break to get outside in the fresh air, enjoy the actual taste of your sandwich and then get back at it with a clear head.

4. Stick to your contracted hours

Unless there is a project that absolutely cannot wait, there is no good reason for anyone to be working any more hours than they need to. Any good employer will agree with this!

5. Use your holiday leave

We have holiday leave for a reason! Go book a holiday to Fiji and get you snorkel on!

6. Plan ahead on an annual calendar

If you can see what you have coming up ahead of time, you can get a start on it before it’s due, so when it arrives, you’re already on top of it.

7. Get a desk plant

Seriously! They have been scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety in the workplace (link to plant blog article).

8. Organise your workspace so that it feels warm and inviting

Make your work space your own. If you need photos of your family, or an oil burner to get into the groove – do that!

9. Make sure you’re sitting in an ergonomic chair

So important! If you’re uncomfortable, you’re going to pull something and with the added addition of stress, that isn’t going to do anyone any favours!

10.  Make time for exercise

So important! There is nothing to dispel a little work energy than a walk in the park or a few laps of your local pool can’t fix.

11. Keep track of time

If your meetings are running overtime, so too is your day. Be conscious of time and always excuse yourself when the agenda has been met.

12. Self-analyse

If you’re acting out of character, pull yourself up on it. Then, make sure you spend a little quality time on your own to regenerate before heading back to your desk!

13. Don’t hang onto failures

Everyone makes mistakes from time to time, it’s how to resolve them that define us in the workplace. So, don’t hang onto them, instead focus your energy on problem solving and move on.

14. Lean on your teammates

That’s why we have a team, so that when we’re overloaded, we can ask for help. So, utilise your team and let them know that one day you hope to repay the favour.

15. Organise a meeting in a café instead of in the office

Get yourself out of the office once or twice a week to keep things feeling fresh!

16. Try meditation

It’s not for everyone, but if you can get into meditation it’ll do you the world of good!

17. If you’re overwhelmed, walk away from your computer and get some fresh air

It’s no big deal to stand up from your desk and take 10 minutes in the fresh air from time to time. In fact, we recommend you do it at least once a day!

18. Take a long weekend

Plan out your holidays in advance and spot in a long weekend to look forward to from time to time.

19. Make an epic play list

Music is the best medicine (2^nd to laughter). So, whip yourself up an office playlist and get your groove on people!

20. Breathe

When all else fails, or even if It doesn’t, always take time to stop and breathe!

And finally, if it’s too late to create your work/life balance and you really think that you are on your way to professional burn out, please visit your local GP and take some time out to recover! Your health is just (if not more) important than that big ass project that you’re working on!

Written by Social Gopher.