Balancing Work, Family, and Health:
Essential Tips for Women

Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on November 28, 2024

Balancing Work, Family, and Health:
Essential Tips for Women

Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on November 28, 2024

Women often face a unique set of challenges when balancing work, home life, family, and social responsibilities, and the juggling of these roles can take a toll on both physical and mental health. In fact, 58% of Canadians report feeling overloaded by the demands of work, home, family, social obligations, and personal health¹.

This article explores the common struggles women face while seeking balance and offers practical tips to help manage these challenges and restore balance.

Why balance is important?

Maintaining balance in life is essential for overall wellbeing. It’s not about dividing your time equally, but rather, it’s about feeling good about how you spend your time. Without balance, you may feel stressed, guilty about neglecting obligations or struggling to keep up with simple tasks. Left unchecked, this could lead to a range of health issues, such as poor mental health, musculoskeletal disorders, occupational injuries, and more². By prioritizing balance, you can feel calmer, more capable, and better equipped to manage life's demands.

Learn to prioritize

The first step to finding balance is knowing what’s most important. Focusing on what’s truly important can boost your productivity, lower stress, and manage your responsibilities more effectively. Of course, learning to prioritize is often easier said than done — it may require forming new habits and letting go of old ones.

Here are some tips to help you focus on what matters:

Start each day by listing your top priorities.
Be realistic about how much time and energy each task will take, and don’t try to do too much.
Set boundaries so you don’t overcommit to things that aren’t important.
Ask for help when you need it.

Here are some tips to help you focus on what matters:

Start each day by listing your top priorities.
Be realistic about how much time and energy each task will take, and don’t try to do too much.
Set boundaries so you don’t overcommit to things that aren’t important.
Ask for help when you need it.

Make time for yourself

Achieving balance often requires setting aside time for yourself throughout the day. By carving out personal time, you can boost your overall energy, focus, and sense of balance.

Make time for activities you enjoy, like going for a walk, meeting a friend, or relaxing with a good book.
Exercise can improve your mood, reduce stress, and help you better sleep.
Sleep disruptions like insomnia are common, particularly among women post-menopause, so prioritizing quality sleep is crucial for maintaining balance.

Dedicated “me-time” provides a much-needed break from work and family demands, allowing you to look forward to something each day. It’s a simple yet powerful way to recharge.

Make time for yourself

Achieving balance often requires setting aside time for yourself throughout the day. By carving out personal time, you can boost your overall energy, focus, and sense of balance.

Make time for activities you enjoy, like going for a walk, meeting a friend, or relaxing with a good book.
Exercise can improve your mood, reduce stress, and help you better sleep.
Sleep disruptions like insomnia are common, particularly among women post-menopause, so prioritizing quality sleep is crucial for maintaining balance.

Dedicated “me-time” provides a much-needed break from work and family demands, allowing you to look forward to something each day. It’s a simple yet powerful way to recharge.

Ask for support

It’s okay to ask for help when things get overwhelming. While women are often expected to "do it all" the reality is far more complex. Consider these strategies:

If you're feeling overwhelmed at work, let your boss know and find a solution together. Explore work options that can provide more flexibility, such as adjusting deadlines or delegating tasks.
Lean on your partner, friends, and family by identifying areas where they can offer support with household chores.
Focus on what truly needs to be done and allow yourself the flexibility to leave some things for another day.

Women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression³ and face unique factors such as pregnancy, postpartum depression and menopause. So, if stress and emotions interfere with your daily life, don't hesitate to seek professional help.

Build connections

Building positive relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and your community is important for your emotional wellbeing. These connections can provide a sense of comfort and support when life becomes difficult. Joining local groups, online communities, or clubs can offer a safe space to share experiences with others.

Examples include:

local mom groups
online women’s health forums
Facebook groups
book clubs
fitness or yoga classes
professional networking groups

Build connections

Examples include:

local mom groups
online women’s health forums
Facebook groups
book clubs
fitness or yoga classes
professional networking groups

Be kind to yourself

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” way to find balance. What works for you may not work for someone else. Be patient, and don’t be hard on yourself if things don’t go perfectly. Self-kindness means accepting your limitations and not feeling guilty if things don’t go as planned. The journey to finding balance can take time, but it’s worth it. It can offer valuable insights and help you develop a life you love. By being kind to yourself, you're not only nurturing your mind but also supporting your body’s long-term health.

Where we can help

At Medavie Blue Cross, we're on a mission to improve the wellbeing of Canadians.

Visit our Women’s Health page to discover specially designed health solutions that recognize the unique health needs of every woman in every stage of life.

Learn more about our women's health solutions and services

Sources:

Canadian Mental Health Association
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Mayo Clinic

Medavie Blue Cross

Medavie Blue Cross is a premier all-in-one carrier that provides health, dental, travel, life and disability benefits and administers federal and provincial government-sponsored health programs. Together with Medavie Health Services, we are part of Medavie, a health solutions partner committed to improving the wellbeing of Canadians. We are in the...