Like many people these days, you might find yourself trying to navigate an entirely new and unexpected period of uncertainty. With this change of pace come disruptions to your regular routines and your work-life balance. It is especially true for parents trying to work from home full-time while their children are demanding around-the-clock attention.
A recent poll by the KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation), a non-profit organization focusing on national health issues, found 73% of American parents feel like their lives have been disrupted either “a lot” or “some” by the pandemic. So if your life is feeling a little fast-paced right now, you’re not alone.
Keeping up with your to-do list can be exhausting, and understandably so. To prevent stress and burnout, avoid overcommitting to tasks, or holding yourself to unrealistic standards.
Easier said than done? Don’t worry. We’re sharing our go-to tech tips below to help you better manage your time and meet the demands of both your work and personal life.
Manage your digital wellbeing
Many challenging aspects accompany working from home alongside family and children. At times, this new norm can feel like an impossible obstacle to overcome. The good news? When utilized wisely, technology can help you find more joy (and less stress) in your busy life, allowing you to develop a better work-life balance.
Focus on improving and managing your digital wellbeing with free apps and tools that boost productivity and motivation. In these uncertain times, a clear mind is as important as a clear desk (office space).
In addition to free educational tools, you can turn to digital mental wellness apps, like Calm, Headspace, Simple Habit, and Breethe to help you practice mindfulness and regulate inner calmness. A major benefit of this technology is the ability to stay connected and take care of yourself and your loved ones. When you take advantage of technology to help you feel at peace on the inside, you can eliminate anxiety around task juggling and find a healthy balance.
Maintain your wellness routine
There are plenty of mental and emotional benefits of regular exercise. When you work out, your body releases mood-boosting chemicals like endorphins and serotonin. What does this mean for your work-life balance? It turns out these chemicals also improve concentration and energy, which is a win-win for those striving to find a healthy balance between work and family life.
There are many ways to maintain a healthy routine while juggling work and family. Sure, you can keep it old school with some home gym equipment like treadmills, weights, and bikes. However, many people are turning to tech-friendly fitness apps like Sworkit, Nike Training Club, Sweat, and Daily Yoga to maintain a healthy routine (and a safe social distance). Digital conveniences like these are a no brainer when you’re trying to take care of your body and mind during your busy schedule.
Another digital fitness trend that’s surging in popularity is the personal, at-home fitness studio called MIRROR. If you invest in this fitness tech, you get access to a variety of classes from top trainers, and you can involve your whole family in a workout. Maybe one of your kids likes boxing while another is into yoga. Either way, this digital home gym comes in handy for working parents looking to maintain their wellbeing while entertaining their family.
A pandemic is a stressful situation for anyone—kids or no kids. So if you’re struggling to manage stress levels on your own, it is perfectly okay to find relief in apps that help you cultivate positive mental health habits. You can utilize apps like Talkspace to fit online therapy sessions into your routine and personalized schedule. Remember, your needs are just as important as others, so find a way to unwind and destress amid chaotic times.
In the spirit of finding some balance in your new routine, it is important to take advantage of this technology and the available online resources. Eliminate the guilt of feeling like you need to do it all, and lean on technology for a little help.