Setting Boundaries: Work-Life Balance
This blog is based on Mike Earnshaw’s Punk Rock Classroom Reflection.
We all know that the work-life balance is a major issue in today’s society. I often hear from my friends and family members who are teachers just how exhausting they feel, especially when it comes to managing their time between schoolwork and personal life.
Photo by Tim Goedhart on Unsplash
Work-life balance is a major issue in today’s society
Work-life balance is the term used to define an individual’s ability to have a work-life and a home life. Work-life balance has become a major issue in society because people are always connected with some sort of device, which prevents them from disconnecting from professional life when they leave work. Work-life balance has been shown to support employee health, happiness, and productivity as it allows for individuals to have time for their family, friends, hobbies, and interests outside of work.
Setting Boundaries
Work-life balance can also include setting boundaries with students and parents. Setting boundaries is important in order to maintain a healthy and respectful relationship with school staff and your students since it will allow them to understand when they can contact you.
Work-life balance can be improved by drawing the line between work and nonwork time, taking breaks from your phone, disconnecting from social media, practicing mindfulness, getting enough sleep or exercise regularly. Setting personal boundaries or firm lines in the sand is important if you want to help manage your time and maintain your work-life balance.
As an educator, you know how difficult it can be to balance family life with teaching. You need to set boundaries for yourself and those around you in order to maintain a healthy work-life balance. What do you think has been most helpful for you in maintaining a work-life balance? Let me know, I’d love to learn from you.
Alfonso Mendoza Jr., M.Ed. is an Instructional Technologist, Instructional Designer, Doctoral Student, Podcaster, and Google Innovator that is passionate about education. Visit www.myedtech.life to listen or watch our episodes.
