How to find happiness outside the workplace
1December 3, 2012 by Bob Thomas
Summary
The fast pace of modern life leaves many of us struggling to maintain a healthy balance between work and home. In an effort to have it all, our wellbeing and happiness levels take a hit. While a high-powered job can make us feel good about ourselves, it’s important to keep an eye on all aspects of our lives. This article details a few ways to de-stress and enjoy the little things in life – whether that’s getting creative with a craft project or a luxurious mid-week massage.
Ever feel the pressure to have it all? Magazines and adverts tell uslife isn’t complete unless you havea happy home life, successful job and enough money in the bank forluxury holidays. Trying to achieve all these things causes a big headache and makes you even unhappier. Give yourself a break and get some perspective; there’s more to life than the 9-to-5. Incorporate the following into your hectic lifestyle and feel happier at the end of the day.
Take up a craft
Very few of us create something during work hours – and no, that accounting spreadsheet doesn’t count. Making something with your hands is incredibly therapeutic, helping you relax after a hard day’s work. Even if the finished masterpieceisn’t as perfect as a factory-made product, who cares? You can proudly say you made it yourself.
Use online dating
When you’re a highflying professional, finding time in your busy diary for romance is near impossible. Searching for someone special can involve endless dead-end dates, wasted evenings with unsuitable friends of friends or hours trawling through online profiles. There is another way. Dating website eHarmony finds out exactly what makes you tick before suggesting suitable matches. These potential partners all share the same values, interests and ambitions as you, so no more cringe worthy moments on your next date. To get started, visit http://www.eharmony.co.uk.
Dine in a fancy restaurant
We’ve all been there – too tired to cook after a long day at work, we reach for the takeaway menu. While the occasional Chinese won’t make much of a difference to your waistline, a high-calorie meal every night soon will. Cooking at home is a great was to wind down but if there isn’t time to whip up a delicious meal, head to your nearest restaurant for a mid-week treat.
If you’re in need of a dining companion, search dating sites for professionals to find a fellow foodie who shares the same hectic schedule.
Put aside some pamper time
Only superheroes can work around the clock. For the rest of us, it’s about time we realised that and put aside some time each month for a bit of pampering. A hot stone massage does wonders for knotted shoulder muscles. A rejuvenating facial will also banish those pesky bags under your eyes.
It’s easy to dismiss spa treatments as vanity-inducing extravagances. Don’t listen to these naysayers – they’ve obviously never experienced the luxurious sensation of a hot mud wrap. Once you’re stepped out the spa, you’ll have forgotten all those niggling little worries that were plaguing you previously.
Resourcebox
For inspiration for projects, visit the Guardian’s craft page
Find top restaurants to dine in when you don’t want to cook
Book a stress-busting spa day



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