Ten Ways to Balance Work with Play

Many companies are now facing and executing significant
layoffs. Not only does this cause havoc for the ones
'laid-off', it also creates an enormous burden on the ones
left behind.

With increased responsibilities being placed on workers,
stress becomes even more of a problem.

Added to that are the on-going responsibilites at home --
tighter squeeze on the home pocket book, greater stress
being felt by everyone, people are looking for a way out.
Sometimes an escape is what is needed. Other times, that
might not be a possibility.

How to deal with this?

We at Fun-Wey have put together a list of 10 ways to
balance all the things you do that fall into the category
of work/responsibility with all the things that are 'fun'
-- the things we call PLAY.

Take a look below:

1. First of all, sit down as a family and look at the
distribution of work-load. Is everyone doing their fair
share? Has one person's load increased far more than the
others'? If so, can you spread it out more evenly? While
doing this consider not just work obligations, but also
think about each person's other 'out-of-the- home'
involvements, such as choir, coaching soccer, volunteering
at the food bank, etc. Remember to honestly look at the
energy that these things require, and weigh that against
the energy that needs to go to everything else.

We recommend doing this on an annual basis, but when
something major changes in your family life, it is
extremely important to do so.

2. Next, talk about the kinds of things that you're doing
as a family that are fun. Do you go swimming at the local
rec centre weekly? Does the family honour the Friday night
'pizza and a movie' tradition? Do you have guests for
dinner on a regular basis? Are there annual vacations? As
a unit, the family needs to consider the importance of
those stress relieving activities and make sure that enough
of them are in place.

3. Of course, both of the above conversations will involve
talking about money -- is there enough for this year's
treck to Disneyland, or the kids' annual camp week? Do Mom
and Dad still have a date night at least once a month?
What kinds of activities can you do as individuals, as a
couple and as a family that don't put a squeeze on the
wallet, but still intrigue and excite you?

4. Get the entire family involved in planning a monthly
event that is FREE -- this could be going for a walk on the
SeaWall (if you live near water), sharing dinner as a
picnic on the living room floor complete with blankets,
kool-aid, and sandwiches, or having a night of board games
or cards. These kind of events -- by their very nature --
take your mind off everything else, and provide you with a
couple of hours of stress-free time.

5. If your new responsibilities at work necessitate
overtime, sit down with a financial planner to see if the
extra hours actually result in any substantial increase in
your income. Often the additional income puts you into a
new tax-bracket and the larger portion of your added income
goes out in deductions. Too, sometimes longer hours result
in added costs -- more meals out, higher child care costs;
when that happens, you are not further ahead and should
decline the extra hours (if that is an option.)

6. Find ways to cut costs at home -- this can be a really
fun activity! Once again, we recommend getting the whole
family involved. Kids can take on part-time jobs like
mowing the neighbour's lawn or raking leaves or shovelling
snow. After school child care might be shared with a
friend or neighbour. Teach your kids to turn off lights,
tv's and other appliances that are not in use -- save on
your monthly bill. Maybe you are paying too much in
telephone, internet costs, or cable costs. Sometimes your
provider will bundle these services in cost-saving plan
that might leave a few extra dollars in your pocket.

Then, as a family, see how much your total savings add up
and decide how to spend them -- get a new, more energy
efficient refrigerator, a more fuel-efficient car, or start
using public transportation. There may be enough savings
to enable your entire family to plan a great vacation
together.

7. Make sure that you are doing something stress-less EACH
DAY! Just like prayer or meditation, a time for fun is a
daily must. Perhaps you go for a quiet solitary walk on
your lunch, or head to the library for an interesting talk.
Perhaps you do something different at the end of the day
-- go for a swim, head out for a 'pole-dancing' class or
stroll through a local garden centre for inspiration.
Whatever it is, that break will do wonders for your
breathing, your stress levels, and your state of mind. Set
an example for your family and encourage all of them to do
the same.

8. Take time to give. I know, it sometimes seems like all
you do is 'give', but look at giving in a different way.
One of the things we decided to do this year was become
involved in a local 'feed the unsheltered homeless'
program. Once a month the adults in our family, along with
the older children donate a few hours on a Saturday to
provide meals for this unfortunate group. It completely
changes your perspective. And helps the kids realize how
good they actually have it. It makes a warm cozy bed seem
like a luxury, and a hot shower something to really
appreciate. And it helps you prioritize those things that
are important to your family, as a family.

9. Honour the 'joker' in the family. Every family seems
to have one -- you know the member I mean. In our family
we have more than one. They are always saying or doing the
most ridiculous things. The more serious members get their
knickers in a knot and start huffing and chuffing. It's so
beneficial to the entire family when we can actually laugh
at the silliness. We once worked with a lady who did all
kinds of silly things -- tied balloons to her glasses and
walked around the office just to hear the snickers and
giggles. Even a few moments of silliness will re-energize
you. So let loose.

10. On that same note, organize theme dinners and parties.
Encourage your friends or neighbours to 'play' too. Have
everyone bring a pot-luck Saturday dinner and wear their
silliest hat. Or something outrageously orange! Or pink
socks. As you chat and giggle together, you'll find
yourself bonding with one another, creating memories that
are wonderful, and forgetting about work. What could be
better?

We hope these ideas will start you thinking about your own
ways to balance work and play. If you think of other ones,
better ones, or have a story to tell about your family's
successes, please feel free to share them -- we'd love to
hear about them.