Did you know that a lack of work/life balance can seriously impact your health? While getting ahead in your career is important, the stress of constantly being expected to excel can lead to digestive issues, heart problems, depression, and chronic pain. If you continue to push yourself beyond your limits, you can experience burnout, which negatively affects your mental health and performance at work.
To avoid these consequences, you must prioritize self-care. Fortunately, many apartment communities have included amenities that are specifically designed to help you manage stress and experience the things that make life enjoyable. Here are five ways that living in an apartment can help you maintain your work/life balance.
1. Strengthen Social Ties
Feelings of loneliness can lead to depression, but when you’re working full time and living on your own, it can be difficult to meet new people. Fortunately, many apartment complexes have embraced community and are happy to provide many opportunities to form social ties.
For example, many apartment complexes offer one or more of the following:
-
- Pools
- Grilling areas
- Picnic tables
- Recreational clubhouses
- Dog parks
- Regular parks
To encourage residents to make use of these spaces, managers may also arrange for gatherings to celebrate holidays or enjoy good weather. Some even host “mixers” for new residents to get to know their neighbors and management personnel.
2. Focus on Fitness
Exercise is a well-known way to relieve stress; when you work out, your body releases endorphins that make you feel good. Additionally, staying fit can prevent or help manage conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
To accommodate residents’ fitness needs, many complexes have gyms on-site with a variety of equipment:
-
- Weight machines
- Free weights
- Treadmills
- Stationary bikes
- Workout benches
If you prefer to workout outdoors, some complexes have paths for jogging or designated areas for yoga and tai chi.
For those looking to get into fitness for the first time or returning after a long stretch of inactivity, classes can be an attractive option. Some apartment complexes actually schedule classes or clubs for residents to attend, either for free or a small fee.
3. Find a New Working Environment
Since technology has made everyone accessible at all hours, sometimes we have to take our work home with us. However, it can be difficult to stay productive when you’re surrounded by distractions.
Instead of holding up in your apartment, you can take advantage of the amenities some complexes offer. This can range from a comfy chair in a common area to a fully furnished business center complete with Wi-Fi, fax machines, and printers. The new surroundings can help you get into a productive headspace, allowing you to finish faster. Complexes with office supplies and equipment can also help you avoid a last-minute trip to the office, allowing you to skip a lengthy commute.
4. Enjoy Recreation
When people think of work/life balance, they usually envision the ratio of work to recreational time. To properly recharge and avoid burnout, people need to do things they enjoy. Apartment complexes can assist in a number of ways:
-
- Providing communal areas for socializing
- Arranging amateur sports leagues
- Providing games and equipment for residents to use during gatherings
Apartment management can also think outside the box to ensure residents are taking advantage of these amenities; one popular idea is a pool party, complete with grilling and a movie projected on a large sheet for outdoor viewing.
Residents who prefer solitude can take advantage of manicured lawns for reading, walking pets, or playing games. A well-designed complex can offer recreational opportunities for all its residents.
5. Explore Your Community
Just like you may need a change of pace when working, you should have the opportunity to explore new experiences as you take time for yourself. You’re most likely to do this when new experiences are easily accessible.
For apartment complexes, this is all about location. The best ones are close to a number of interesting areas:
-
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Sites of cultural significance
- Museums
- Parks
In some places, management can actually encourage community exploration by partnering with local businesses to offer coupons, promotions, or samples at apartment-sponsored events.
Having this connection to the larger community can provide a deep sense of belonging and pride. It also gives residents something to look forward to during their time off.
Balancing work obligations with self-care can be difficult, but where you live can make all the difference. Residents expect the apartments they call home to offer a variety of amenities and be responsive to their needs. The only way to guarantee satisfied residents is to have stellar property managers.
Ellicott Development has everything necessary to manage property “in-house,” including accounting, legal services, and maintenance. We’re dedicated to making complexes a true home where residents are happy to return to at the end of a long workday. To find out more, give us a call at 716-854-0060 or reach out to us online.
Featured Image: Shutterstock/ Grand Warszawski
