We live in a fast-paced world that can sometimes feel overwhelming. Going from one place to the next never seems to end – working, spending time with family, catching up on things around the house or around town during your off-days, and more.
There is always something to do and making time for yourself is often the very last thing on your mind. Yet, self-care and maintaining a healthy work-life balance – especially for those who work in the domestic staffing industry – is crucial.
Tips to Focus on Health and Wellbeing
Whether you’re a live-in nanny, a private chef, an estate manager juggling multiple residences, an executive housekeeper, or another type of domestic employee, there are some helpful strategies that you can put into place to help achieve balance. Keep reading to learn more.
Make boundary-setting a part of your routine.
Establishing clear guidelines about hours, breaks, and time off is the first part of taking care of yourself. Communicate those boundaries at the time of hiring and include those in a written work agreement.
Your work agreement can also outline job duties, benefits, and other important information about your role, so you can ensure you have what you need to maintain a good work-life balance. If your employer wants to add duties or change your job description, this should be communicated with a meeting and adjustment to your work agreement.
Employers should respect your boundaries and ensure they aren’t crossed without reason and/or discussion.
Prioritize your time well.
Some domestic staffing roles require long hours. That’s why it’s important to prioritize your tasks as best as you can and create daily schedules so you can minimize stress.
Find what works for your role and make a plan to complete daily duties with efficiency, so you can get off work on time and do the things that reenergize you.
Nurture the relationships that matter most to you.
Your friendships and other personal relationships are the most important things in life, so make sure you make time to nurture and maintain those.
Coffee dates, dinner times, movie nights, or other things that allow for quality time are key to physical, emotional, and mental health.
Discover what motivates and inspires you.
Even if you love your job and it aligns with your personal passions and interests, make self-care a priority by participating in hobbies or activities that fill you up.
That could be signing up to play a team sport, hitting the gym regularly, joining a book club or cooking club, or taking mini vacations on your days off.
Keep communication lines open.
Establishing an open line of communication between you and the family or family office you’re working with is vital. Being able to discuss your boundaries, concerns, feedback, or any other issues in a prompt and respectful way will contribute to a healthier mind and body.
This goes both ways, too. Your employer should also be able to openly and respectfully communicate with you about what they’re looking for and expect.
A positive working relationship where both parties are comfortable discussing important things related to the home, office, or your role will yield a more collaborative work environment.
Ask for support if you need it.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, overworked, or simply need time away, ask for it. Whether it’s reaching out to other domestic staff in the home, joining a support group, getting professional counseling, or setting up a meeting with your employer to schedule time to use your paid time off, make decisions that lead to the long-term health and wellbeing of your whole self.
Discover the Perfect Fit
Are you looking for a role that you love? We place domestic staffing professionals in homes across the country and our personalized, get-to-know-you approach ensures you find the right fit, the first time.
Contact us today and we’ll help you find a great job that you can grow in. We look forward to working with you!
