July 28, 2011

For most busy, overworked entrepreneurs, the term "work-life balance" has little bearing on reality. Mainly, it's because ambitious and driven businesspeople choose to put their work before themselves, leaving little room for "me" time.

But recent studies are pointing to warning signs for those who ignore signs of stress. In a study with baboons, neurobiologist Dr. Robert Sapolsky found that stress greatly accelerates the aging process. Another study conducted by Elizabeth M. Poposki, an assistant professor of psychology, found that most employees blamed work when experiencing external conflicts. So what's a committed entrepreneur to do? Our OPEN Forum experts share tips on how to take time for yourself, finding work-life balance, without sacrificing the quality of your work.

Regular Relaxation

Committing the time to de-stressing can be tough, but just like exercise, relaxation won't have any effect unless it's done consistently. OPEN Forum's Bruna Martinuzzi suggests a method developed by Dr. Herbert Benson that consists of breathing exercises. But she warns that "the important thing to remember is that whatever method you choose, it needs to be done on a regular basis."

While meditation might work for some, Web entrepreneur Justine Grey suggests watching television or reading for those who find meditating daunting. "With True Blood and Breaking Bad just around the corner, escaping for a bit will quiet the business and life thoughts circling your brain and immerse you in someone else’s world for a short while," she says.

Avoid Last-Minute Appointments

Poposki's research found that the timing of the scheduling of events had a direct correlation with the amount of frustration experienced by people when conflict arose. For example, "last-minute meetings at work and unexpected visits by relatives at home were major sources of stress."

Understand The Importance

Unless you truly understand the necessity of a work-life balance and the consequences of not taking your mind off work, taking time for yourself will just seem like another task to check off on your to-do list. It is essential to realize that achieving this balance is not only a challenge but a responsibility to yourself and your family. This is exactly what John Mariotti realized when his children were growing up. When he was raising his family, he decided to stop playing golf, going out for happy hour and working on the weekends. Even though weekend work has become the norm for many employees, Mariotti stresses holding on to your free time. "You need time to recharge your psychological batteries and regain some perspective," he says. "In these days of 'always-on' cell phones, e-mail, Internet, texting, etc., just finding some quiet time of any kind is a challenge. But it is a challenge to which you must rise, and then succeed at doing."

Make Exceptions

There are plenty of blunders to avoid when trying to achieve your ideal work-life balance, according to OPEN Forum contributor Julie Rains. She makes the great point of acknowledging that "there will be times when you’ll need to dedicate most of your waking hours to a business initiative or deal with a personal issue." During such cases, like a move into a new home or a high-pressure business deal, "realizing that you may not be able to sustain perfect balance all the time is important," she says.

Know When Drastic Change Is Necessary

There's only so long that passion for your work and determination can carry you through a physically debilitating schedule. This msnbc work-life video clip tells the story of two successful entrepreneurs who revamped their businesses in an effort to reclaim their lives.

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