How to keep a healthy work-life balance as a dancer? We know that sometimes it’s hard, so here’s a list of special tips and tricks to achieve this goal.
1. Keep it separate
Some people mix work and personal life too often. It could be both on the emotional level or on the space-time level. It’s good to hang out with your colleagues but try to get friends also outside of the place where you work. It’s very important to find that healthy balance you need.
On the space-time level, simply use the place where you work for working. Don’t do there things you could do at home. Don’t make your office/studio your second home, even if you love that concept. It’s usually not healthy.
Oh, let’s not forget the opposite. Your home shouldn’t be your office. Never, unless you can’t avoid that.
2. Stop doing it…in the middle of it
Many studies confirm that if you interrupt what you’re doing in the middle to continue the following day you will be able to stop more easily. We know you maybe hate to “stop in the middle” but sometimes it’s healthier than continuing until you’re too tired or too stressed for what you’re doing.
Do you remember that day when you rehearsed that variation and after a while, instead of improving, you kept performing it worse and worse? Maybe weren’t you a bit tired for doing it again? Maybe it was the time to stop there and get some rest? This is a great way to keep a healthy work-life balance!
3. Love your job (but not just it)
They say the highest fullfillment comes when you love what you do and you do what you love. But what about your loved ones? They need your love as well. If you really can’t stop working you can ask them to let you know when you’re working too much and when it’s time to do a break. Time spent while working is perceived differently by our brain from the time spent doing something else. Having an external person reminding you that is important.
Fun fact? Some States such as France and Portugal passed a law banning employers from contacting employees outside of work hours.
These are just some tips to keep a healthy work-life balance. But don’t forget that having hobbies, hanging out with friends and reading a good book are always the most effective solutions for it. Good opportunities are always behind the corner, don’t feel stressed if you miss a couple ones!