The healthcare sector in which I work is fast-paced, and so is the world we live in. Ensuring work-life balance is one of the most important things I've had to learn to achieve my goals.

It became a necessity and an art during the "sink-or-swim" scenario of the pandemic. I found that this balance was pivotal for both personal well-being and maintaining productivity and passion in the workplace. As we maneuvered through the pandemic over the past three years, I learned about resilience and the importance of carving out time for myself amid the chaos.

From this challenging period, I've carried forward three key strategies that have proven invaluable to my routine. These strategies aren't just about actions; they involve physical and cognitive processes that help safeguard my professional endeavors and most precious life experiences.

1. An End-Of-Workday Ritual

For me, establishing a routine that distinctly marks the transition from work to personal time has been crucial. Every day, once my work is complete, I perform a ritual that serves as a mental "switch-off" from professional tasks. This involves a tangible action: taking off my work jacket and placing it on my chair, packing my laptop and other work tools into my bag and then putting that bag into a cupboard. As the saying goes, "Out of sight, out of mind!"

This simple but deliberate act helps distance my mind from work and signals to my brain that work has officially ended for the day.

Do you have any tangible rituals you employ to transition from your workday to your personal time?

Click for full article