Being an Au Pair needs resilience, strength, and overall balanced habits of working, eating, sleeping, and repeating the whole activity daily. So, if you are an Au Pair, here is some friendly advice on maintaining a work-life balance.
1. Prioritize your task
It would help if you got all your tasks sorted within a fixed time so that it does not cause you stress later on. Prepare a to-do list and get that done to complete every task. You can also research about taking courses that can help you in advance, or if you are worried about your education hours, then register in advance. When ticking your to-do list, you will feel less stressed and more balanced automatically.
2. Take rest whenever required
You might get exhausted from caring for children for 10 to 12 hours, so you need proper rest, which will benefit you physically and mentally. If you feel extra tired, then go to sleep early or spend a few minutes meditating before you start school after work. This will help you reset your mind and also keep a balance between work and life.
3. Exercise daily
Exercise is essential to maintain a work-life balance, so either you can go to a gym or register for an intensive cardio class. You can also walk around the neighborhood, which is an organic way to experience nature and get exercise at the same time. It would help to decide what your exercise routine should look like and, without fail, commit to it. Procrastination should not be a barrier, as the more you exercise, the more your hormones are stimulated and you feel happy. Thus, you can carry out your daily work without any stress.
4. Plan your vacations in advance
Being an expert AuPair, you might be excited to travel around the USA during the program year. So, always plan and decide when to go on a vacation. You can take suggestions from other Au Pair friends or ask the host of the family about a suitable date when the vacation can be scheduled. Planning helps you research well, save time, explore new and exciting places, and keep your budget intact.
5. Make friends with a positive attitude
Being an Au Pair can be stressful often, and there will be hard days too, so if you have friends or family members with a positive attitude, you can share your difficulties, talk to them, and relieve your stress during those times. It can be a local coordinator, your natural family or host family, or any Au Pair buddy who is an excellent listener. They can help you to stay motivated or encourage you to keep going. It would be best to remember the first reason you become an Au Pair.
Summing it up
Not every day is balanced, but when you implement these small changes in your daily life, work becomes much more accessible. Also, you will live the dream that you have always envisioned. So, keep repeating these healthy habits to maintain a healthy work-life balance in the USA as an Au Pair.