Work life balance is, well, a balancing act. And for most of us, finding this balance can sometimes be tricky. Recognizing what brings refreshment to your life inside and outside of work isn’t the same for everyone.
Here at Foundant, we value this type of balance so highly that we’ve built it into our company culture. Taking care of yourself as an individual both during and outside of work can benefit not only you, but your coworkers and loved ones as well. Part of this whole equation is figuring out what you need during the workday to function at your best. With summer in full swing, we thought it would be fun to share a few ways we keep ourselves feeling energized and productive during the day, both inside and outside of the office!
Get Outside
For those of us working at Foundant headquarters in Bozeman, we are fortunate to live in a place with many options for getting outside. If you surveyed our team about favorite outdoor activities, you’d get a diverse list. Sharing some of these activities with co-workers can enhance a culture of work life balance. We have different groups throughout the team who run or attend workout classes together, or mountain bike after work. Getting into the outdoors is a favorite way to reduce stress for many of us at Foundant.
De-Stress with Pets
In our dog friendly Bozeman office, taking a break to play with one of our furry friends is a popular option. A couple office dogs are particularly known for getting into all sorts of mischief, which is usually good for a laugh. If you’ve read anything about the stress relieving benefits of spending time with animals, you’ll understand this one!
Refuel
Do you ever find yourself getting “hangry” (hungry to the point of being angry) at certain points throughout the day? We sure do. The Client Services team recently set up a communal snack table, where team members contribute different healthy (for the most part) snacks, for everyone to grab when hanger strikes. We highly recommend keeping a stash of snacks nearby for the sake of energy levels throughout the day!
Music
Outside of work, many of us are big fans of live music, so concerts are a common option to de-stress and have a little fun. During the day listening to music can be a great way to take a break or boost productivity. An app like Spotify lets you browse pre-made playlists or build your own.
Change of Scenery
Most of the Foundant team use adjustable desks, allowing us to switch between sitting and standing. This simple change can be a nice way to break up the day and get a quick energy boost. Plus, studies show sitting for long periods can be detrimental to your health! But, getting away from your desk can also help. At the Bozeman office, we’re lucky to have a coffee shop right down the road. You can usually find a few of us working there or taking a break with a coworker on any given day. Sometimes just a short walk and a different backdrop can launch your creativity and focus back into gear.
Other Tools
There are a plethora of apps and other tools out there to help you reach your most productive mode and increase your balance between work and home life. Here are a few we’ve been enjoying lately:
• Map My Fitness: This app is a fun way to track your movement goals. Some of us have used this app to create friendly competitions around progress toward personal goals.
• Pomodoro technique and tools: When working on a project without a set timeline, it can be easy to lose focus. The Pomodoro technique encourages you to take set breaks within a chunk of work time, with a timer to keep you on track.)
• Full Focus Planner: Several of us have been trying out the Full Focus planner, which utilizes a system to help you make steady progress towards your goals (both professional and personal) and make the most of your time outside of work as well.
A focus on what brings you energy and refreshment can help you be your best self.
We love hearing about others’ favorite tips and tricks to keep things balanced and improve focus. We hope some of our go-to options might help inspire you!
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