For those living and working in the picturesque town of Reading, it’s all about finding the right balance of work and chill.
Located just outside of London, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the booming city.
That’s what makes Reading so fab, it’s a calm escape from buzzing London, with loads to see and do!
The big question is though…how do young professionals achieve the perfect work life balance when living here?
We’ve got some top tips on how to have a balanced lifestyle with just the right amount of chill and focus – hooray!
1. Take Regular Breaks
It’s incredibly important to take regular breaks, whether you’re working in an office or working from home!
Taking regular breaks has been proven to reduce stress, which in turn, will improve your general performance at work.
It can also do absolute wonders for your vision, with lengthy screen-time straining your eyes throughout the day!
Whether you’re working in Reading, London, or somewhere else, there will be plenty of opportunities to grab some fresh air.
Even if it’s just a quick stroll on your lunch break for a bite to eat or a coffee, you’ll feel so much better for it.
2. Create Realistic To-Do’s
To-do lists – they can be awesome, but also an absolute pain sometimes! If you overload your to-do lists, you can become overwhelmed.
Taking one look at a list filled with an unrealistic amount of work to do can often make you feel stressed out.
When it comes to creating your list, make sure you prioritize, and that your tasks small and achievable.
At the end of the day, you’re never going to achieve everything you want to do in just one day, with many of us being very self-critical.
There are some great to-do lists apps out there to give you some organisation
inspo, such as todoist and TickTick.
3. Reward Yourself
Achieving a work life balance is all about rewarding yourself after a stressful week, and treating yourself!
Sometimes, there’s nothing like a delicious meal out on a Friday night, or even a hot cup of coffee and some cake in a cute café.
Luckily for those staying in our cosy accommodation in Reading, you’re in a perfectly central location!
Why not head to Bakery House, just minutes away from New Century Place, where you can grab some fresh Lebanese pastries?
Picture this: it’s been a ridiculously long week at work, you’re feeling stressed, tired, and generally bogged down.
What’s the solution? A delicious meal on a Friday night in Reading, whether that be a takeaway or a trip out!
Whatever your reward of choice, it reminds you what you’re working for, because there’s nothing like a little treat now and then.
4. Set Time Aside For You
When working hard, it’s so important to set some time aside to relax, unwind, and totally chill.
This gives you a great excuse to explore Reading, and check out the Insta-worthy sites it has to offer!
Whether it’s an evening after a day of working or a weekend, be sure to totally switch off, and not think about work.
Explore Abbey Quarter, shop til’ you drop in The Oracle, or have a nice stroll around Prospect Park with a coffee.
Me time is essential because doing things that we enjoy makes us happy, and that’s what life’s all about!
So if you ever feel like you’re struggling to maintain a work life balance, stop, and take a breather.
5. Keep Active
Now, some of you may love this idea, some of you may hate it! The thought of exercise for some is well…exhausting!
But, believe us when we say, you’ll actually feel tons better for doing some exercise, even if it’s just a brisk walk.
When living at New Century Place, residents get access to our on-site gym, so you don’t have to travel far to burn some cals!
The thought of travelling to the gym is usually worse than actually going to the gym, which is why it’s really convenient.
If you don’t see yourself as a gym-goer though, don’t worry, a nice stroll or a run is enough to get your blood flowing.
There are also some great videos on YouTube from content creators like Joe Wickes and Yoga With Adriene for more inspo!
6. Get Cosy
This point may seem a little obvious, but getting cosy after a long day at work helps you maintain a great work life balance.
Whether it’s a movie with loads of popcorn in the cinema room or a Netflix session in your own cosy studio – treat yourself.
Many people find it hard to switch off from work once they’re home, and taking your mind off it can sometimes be super necessary.
Of course, if you want to work on a project late at night because that’s when you feel the most motivated – do it!
But, don’t strain yourself, and be sure to reward yourself with a nice cosy night in after you’ve done your work.
7. Turn Off Your Emails!
Yes, you heard us correctly, peeping at your emails on an evening will not do you any good.
Glancing at them will no doubt give you a sense of panic and switch you into work mode which you don’t need!
Especially when you’re trying to relax and switch off, to maintain a good work life balance, you have to separate yourself.
Now there’s no right or wrong in this, if you’re someone that actually enjoys checking your emails over on an evening – you go for it.
But if you feel like it’s going to give you anxiety, delete the app and stay away from it! You don’t want the good vibes ruined.
8. Nourish Your Body
There’s nothing like a delicious meal after a long day at working to relax and nourish your body – right?
For those living at New Century Place, each studio comes with a state-of-the-art kitchen with everything you need to get cooking.
With a breakfast bar and some studios even with a private terrace, you can really enjoy your meal in a comfortable setting.
BBC Good Food has a fabulous range of recipes to choose from that are really easy to make, because it’s not ALWAYS all about Super Noodles 😉
We really hope you found these tips useful, achieving a good work life balance is so important for your wellbeing. Nobody wants to be overworked, it’s just not worth it at all! If you need some more tips on how to relax your mind after a hard day at work, check out our blog here!
