A scene from a public-art tour at Gallery Hop Vancouver 2011. Getting out of the studio from time to time can be an important part of maintaining personal well-being. Photo by Joseph Lafo.
Cultural careers often attract very dedicated individuals who love their work and invest heavily in it. But a lack of work-life balance can lead to burnout in any profession. Consider these tips to strike a better sense of symmetry.
Take breaks away from the studio and workplace
When you love what you do, there’s always lots of reasons to stay at your desk, easel or computer. After all, it seems there’s always more that can be done. But it’s important for both your physical and mental health to take breaks away from the work site. Try going for a walk around the block at lunch or stepping out to grab a tea rather than doing it all at the office or studio.
Hone healthy ways of dealing with stress
Exercise, rest and spending time with people you love are all effective ways of dealing with stress—much better in the long run than binging on caffeine, alcohol or other substances, which can be tempting at times of high stress. Meditation is another take-anywhere tool that is proven to help: try it by setting a timer for five minutes, closing your eyes and focusing on your breath.
Use your electronics wisely
With tablets, laptops and smartphones being so common today, work concerns can follow us anywhere—even into bed, which is meant to be a place of restorative rest. Difficult as it may seem, it’s worth trying to shut off your electronics for at least an hour or two a day, and avoid taking them into the bedroom.
Make time for other things you enjoy
Just as taking physical breaks away from your workplace and electronics is important, it’s key to take mental breaks too. Making time for other things you enjoy—be it cooking, crosswords or cycling—will help refresh your capacities for more creative work later on.
Ask for help if you need it
There’s a reason that people like Olympian Clara Hughes and Senator Roméo Dallaire have started to speak up about their struggles with depression: studies indicate that in any given year, one in every five Canadian adults under age 65 will have a mental health problem. Hughes and Dallaire, like thousands of Canadians, benefited from professional help, and want others to seek it too. If your stresses seem to much to manage solo, speak to your doctor, stop by your school counselling centre or visit the Canadian Mental Health Association website to start getting the help you deserve.
