Balance is attainable, but it's not easy. Here are some paths to get there:
- Focus on prevention through exercise, sleep, nutrition, and support.
- Be grateful if your department supports work/life balance.
- Assertively let your supervisor know if you need a little break or some help.
- Ask successful colleagues how they do it, and learn from them.
- Don't buy everything the media sells about achieving balance.
- Recognize "ebbs and flows" of balance, rather than expecting a constant state.
- Track the hours you spend on each activity, and then make changes.
- Breathe slowly and consciously a few times a day.