If you're feeling overworked and finding it more challenging than ever to juggle the demands of your job and the rest of your life, you're not alone. (photo source: iStockphotos)

If you’re feeling overworked and finding it more challenging than ever to juggle the demands of your job and the rest of your life, you’re not alone. In today’s society, many of us find it more and more difficult finding balance in our daily lives. Feeling more burnout in discovering ways to devote more time to the activities and people that matter.

Here are five ways to bring a little more balance to your daily routine:

1. Build downtime into your schedule.
When you plan your week, make it a point to schedule time with your family and friends and activities that help you recharge.

Be proactive about scheduling. If a date night with your spouse or a coffee date with friends is on your calendar, you’ll have something to look forward to and an extra incentive to manage your time well so you don’t have to cancel. Remember that scheduling downtime for yourself (“me time”) is just as important. Make t a point to schedule at least an hour for yourself, whether it be going to the gym or yoga or even a stroll — it’s important to have me time.

2. Ditch activities that zap your time or energy.
Many people waste their time on activities or people that add no value — for example, spending too much time at work with a colleague who is constantly venting and gossiping. Stop taking stock of activities that aren’t really enhancing your career or personal life and minimizing the time you spend on them.

You may even be able to leave work earlier if you make a conscious effort to limit the time you spend on the web and social media sites, making personal calls, or checking your bank balance. We often get sucked into these habits that are making us much less efficient without realizing it.

3. Rethink your errands.
Consider whether you can outsource any of your time-consuming household chores or errands.

Could you order your groceries online and have them delivered? Hire a kid down the street to mow your lawn? Have your dry cleaning picked up and dropped off at your home or office? Order your stamps online so you don’t have to go to the post office? Even if you’re on a tight budget, you may discover that the time you’ll save will make it worth it.

Here at Valerie A. many of our clients utilize our services by outsourcing their to-do list to us, thus freeing up time and mental energy. We’ve signed up many of our clients with Laundry Locker, an eco-friendly laundry service providing green dry cleaning and wash and fold services, making it a convenient choice for those looking to free up time.

4. Get moving.
It’s hard to make time for exercise when you have a jam-packed schedule, but experts say that it may ultimately help you get more done by boosting your energy level and ability to concentrate.

Research shows exercise can help you to be more alert. Personally, I’ve noticed that when I don’t exercise because I’m trying to squeeze in another half hour of work writing proposals or answering emails, I don’t feel as alert.

I recently started sneaking in a trip to Peacebank Yoga Studio two or three mornings a week before my husband wakes up. It’s a real boost in terms of the way I feel for the rest of the day. I feel like my head is clearer and I’ve had a little time to myself.

5. A little relaxation goes a long way.
Don’t get overwhelmed by assuming that you need to make big changes to bring more balance to your life. I recommend setting realistic goals, like trying to leave the office earlier one night per week.

Slowly build more activities into your schedule that are important to you. Maybe you can start by spending an hour a week on your hobby of carpentry or planning a weekend getaway with your spouse once a year.

During a hectic day, you can take 10 or 15 minutes to do something that will recharge your batteries. Take a bath, read a trashy novel, go for a walk, or listen to music. You have to make a little time for the things that ignite your joy.