As a working parent, you will understand the difficulty of achieving work-life balance. Work can become all-consuming, especially if you run your own business; it can feel as if you are constantly under pressure to excel in your role.
Similarly, being a parent is one of the most important jobs in the world, consisting of hard work and dedication to your family each and every day.
You can improve your work-life balance in plenty of ways, but right now, let us focus on your home – specifically, your garden. If you have a home with a garden space, this is your definitive guide to using that garden to achieve a better balance between your working life and your family time.
Consider your garden a natural sanctuary on your doorstep.
Most people dream of having more time out in nature, hiking on beaches, in forests or on mountains. Life just seems to get in the way of all those dreams, and this can be incredibly frustrating.
However, do not underestimate your garden’s potential for natural wonder. Each plant in your garden will be home to an abundance of life, if you look hard enough. Noticing and embracing nature in your garden can give you a calming hobby outside of work. Moreover, you can encourage wildlife to come to your garden – for example, by installing bird feeders, hedgehog houses, and even an owl box!
Involve your whole family in improving your garden.
Being in the garden is even more fun when the whole family gets involved. If you wish you could spend more time with your kids and family, try using your garden as the framework for quality family time.
Playing games outside with your kids, having picnics, observing wildlife, or even doing some DIY with older kids is a fantastic way to bond and relax on evenings and weekends. Do not underestimate the power of some sunshine and outdoor time to make you feel happier and more connected to your family than ever!
View nature as the perfect salve for stress and worry.
According to psychologists, being in nature, even in a suburban or urban garden, is hugely beneficial to a person’s mental health and overall well being.
According to Mind, a mental health charity,
“Spending time in green space or bringing nature into your everyday life can benefit both your mental and physical well-being. For example, doing things like growing food or flowers, exercising outdoors or being around animals can have lots of positive effects.”
If you find that the stress of work gets to your mental health, try spending more time in your garden, and the benefits will be evident.
Use your garden as the perfect place to socialize.
During the coronavirus pandemic, it has been hard to see our friends and family in person. A garden with beautiful furnishings and shelter, such as a louvred pergola, is the ideal spot to catch up with friends and family in the summertime!
Overall, spending more time in your garden is the perfect solution for achieving a better work-life balance in 2021.