Balance is about working to live, not living to work. Oftentimes we complain about having no time but are too exhausted to do much else at the end of the day. Yet, by Sunday, we haven't really done anything except work or study and a whole lot of forgettable time-wasting stuff in between. The time is there, we only need to harness it.

students who worked up to 15 hours per week were less stressed than those who only studied

1. First and foremost, schedule sleep hours and stick to them. Eventually, a consistent sleep pattern will give you more control of your available hours.


2. Create a morning routine where you spend up to 60 minutes on each task or hobby you otherwise neglect. The world is quiet enough to ensure it remains a sacred time just for you and whatever it is you want to do.


3. Make the most of breaks. From short breaks to lunch breaks, you could take photos, go to the gym or pamper yourself at a spa.


4. Take the bus or train. Public transport is not only good for the environment, it frees you up to read, take a MOOC, write, draw, or zone out to music and watch the world as a music video.


5. Schedule focus-enhancing activities, such as morning tai chi or yoga classes. If that bores you, martial arts have the same effect of keeping your mind in the moment and you burn calories to boot.


6. A 2016 German study found full-time students who worked up to 15 hours per week were less stressed than those who only studied. Although no clear reason was established, our own experiences lead us to believe it's the distribution of stress and responsibilities over multiple important activities. The perceived anxiety generated from the one major activity in life eases when you have another big thing. We've seen the more you do, the more you end up doing. And by more, we mean more for you, not more for your employer or university.


7. Practice self-care daily. Looking after yourself can boost self-esteem and feelings of being ready for anything or ready for bed.


8. Avoid distractions to ensure you get work and study done in optimal time. Distractions add switch cost, affect quality and eat into time you could use toward more constructive pursuits.