If we’re not careful, work stress can easily become home stress, often at the expense of our families and friends.
Work stress is natural if you care at all about what you do. But being able to set it aside for at least a little – to compartmentalize it – is the key to making sure it doesn’t poison our personal lives.
How? By making sure you have a third space. That’s according to a recent HBR.org article from Jackie and John Coleman.
Many of us spend many days each week rushing from a busy office to a busy home. We carpool, we cook, we clean.
But having a third space outside of work and home can help enormously with stress management.
Managing stress can be easier when we maintain special interests and find space outside of home and work. These spaces are different for everyone — trout streams, parks, poker nights — but they are important for maintaining our identities and sense of peace.
And partners and spouses should support each other in these extracurriculars for optimal bi-lateral benefits.
So be sure to find a third space, maintain important friendships, and explore new interests. Take time to breathe.
What’s your third space?
Have a great week.
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