Here's how you can balance work and life while working in a different country.

To me, what worked: - Don’t be afraid to ask for help - Do exercise at the end of the day to release stress (or something that works for you like chatting or reading, meditation perhaps) - Use a couple of hours on Sunday to plan ahead and cook if that is an option.

Balancing work and life in a different country can be tough, but one thing that really helps me is not working on weekends. This rule keeps my workweek focused and productive. By keeping weekends free, I ensure I have time to relax, explore, and enjoy personal activities, which recharges me for the week ahead. I make sure to communicate this boundary to my colleagues so they know when I'm available. This clear communication helps prevent any work-related expectations or tasks from creeping into my weekend. This approach has made a big difference in managing my work-life balance while living abroad.

Flexible your working hours, flexible handling your responsibilities and team responsibilities. Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal time is essential when working with different time zones

In my opinion, working in the export department also means living abroad part-time due to travel. We need to pay attention and maintain a balance to be present for the special occasions of our families and loved ones. In this way, we achieve a balance between work and our loved ones. As managers, we should communicate the importance we place on work-life balance through conversations with our team, allow them to express themselves, and motivate them to strive to maintain this balance during their travels.

Aus meiner Sicht ist Grenzen im Arbeitsleben zu setzen die Voraussetzung dafür, Arbeits- und Privatleben dauerhaft in Einklang zu bringen – unabhängig davon, wo man lebt. Grenzen zu setzen bedeutet, sich nicht von der beruflichen Tätigkeit vereinnahmen und steuern zu lassen, sondern Strukturen und Akteure des eigenen Arbeitslebens zu reflektieren und auf dieser Basis seinen Alltag zu gestalten. So entsteht ein Gefühl der Selbstbestimmung und der Beherrschung des eigenen Lebens. Wo und wie genau diese Grenzen gesetzt werden – räumlich, zeitlich oder mental –, ist eine völlig individuelle Entscheidung.

It is somewhat inevitable to bring your routine from your home country and it can be a similar or a totally different routine. If different, it is advisable to observe your colleagues (if you have a on-site or hybrid work) for a couple of weeks to craft your routine but, in general, a flexible work environment allows individuals to have their own; provided that they participate in common activities (i.e. meetings, trainings etc.)

I remember I was being offered a job which was for 16 hours. I was shocked when the manager told me that your office timings will be from 08:00-23:00hrs. Afterwards I queried him that when I will cook and sleep? But he kept insisting that I should join. Eventually I refused and returned to home country.

Yes bringing your routine along is easier these days. With clouds helping to acces books, movies from everywhere and videocalls let us stay connected to loved ones. For me it helps to choose hotels in a green part of town to have a quiet place to relax, a pool and sauna for physical well being. Nurture body, mind and heart. Keep your values

How I start my day, sets my day. Before work, I make sure to be aware of these things: - No phone after waking up - Breathing/meditation excercise - Going for walk/doing stretching or sports - To-Do's I want to focus on; the 3 most important ones (otherwise it can be overwhelming) - Short breaks during work for stretching/clearing my mind

Routine, far from being boring, is a plus in terms of security and time optimisation. The latter is essential when you live abroad and have a family. I work with agendas, weekly planners and colour-coded schedules that give me all the information I need at a glance. It may seem a bit analogue but with practice I have realised that writing it down is the best way to keep schedules and information clear. This way I dedicate optimal time to work but also to my family and my personal interests such as writing, reading and fitness.

A família é tudo em nossas vidas, no entendo a tecnologia nos ajudava a conectar de maneira cada vez mais clara e rápida com nossos entes e amigos em qualquer lugar do mundo. A família sendo a base e dando o apoio necessário para que sua estadia em um lugar distante seja cada vez menos doloroso, é o ponto crucial para que seu trabalho produza frutos e seja reconhecido.

Meine Tipps: - Regelmäßige Telefon/Facetime-Dates mit Familie und Freunden - Briefe schreiben macht mehr Spaß als man denkt - Besuche in die Heimat im Voraus planen (Vorfreude und Planung profitieren davon)

We are sociable and need support networks especially when you are out of your circle. Scheduling regular video calls and visits to loved ones is an energy bonus. However, it is essential to build a social network where you live and starting with language courses is a good option. Attend workshops, lectures, book clubs. Sharing is a great way to feel integrated.

In this technological world you can keep connected with your family and friends back at home. It is important to contact them frecuently but also learn to respect time differences and availability.

Be open for new experiences. Visit concerts, exhibitions or join expad social media groups to connect with local people. Sometimes embassies host events that enable to meet people.

What really helps me: - Joining local events (I volunteer(ed) at local shelters where I meet lots of people) - I learn the language or a few basics which helps a lot and shows respect to the locals - I go to markets or coffee places where I can learn a lot about the culture and where I can talk to the locals

Ins Ausland ziehen kann überwältigend sein und erfordert auch viel Offenheit und Mut. Meine Tipps: - Die lokale Sprache so schnell wie möglich lernen - Kontakt mit Menschen vor Ort suchen (proaktiv) - Die lokalen Gepflogenheiten kennenlernen und Traditionen integrieren - Ganzheitliches Kennenlernen der Kultur (Essen, Geschichte, Soziale Struktur..)

I remember when I first arrived in Germany I decided to create a digital magazine in order to get to know first-hand some of the cultural traditions of the regions where I lived. This helped me to be aware of cultural offerings, special traditions and even the bureaucratic issues that everyone has to go through sooner or later when living abroad. I had the opportunity to meet people specialised in various fields that belonged to the social life of the city where I lived and to set up some tandem groups, language classes and cinema clubs.

Zeit im Ausland mit einer interessanten Tätigkeit verbringen zu dürfen ist ein Privileg. Gerade wenn man nicht dauerhaft im Ausland leben möchte, sondern nur für einen begrenzten Zeitraum, ist dieses Privileg zeitlich begrenzt. Vor diesem Hintergrund empfiehlt es sich, die unterschiedlichen Aspekte der Situation wahrzunehmen und von ihnen zu profitieren. Das bedeutet auch, sich mit dem Ort, an dem man sich befindet, auseinanderzusetzen und die Möglichkeiten, die er bietet, zu nutzen. Die Zeit vergeht schneller, als man denkt.

Gerenciar o estresse estando no exterior pode ser desafiador. Procure manter contato com amigos e familiares por meio de videochamadas para se sentir mais próximo de casa. Praticar atividades físicas, como caminhadas ou exercícios, pode ajudar a aliviar a tensão. Além disso, explorar a cultura local, aprender o idioma e fazer novas amizades pode proporcionar experiências enriquecedoras e reduzir o estresse da adaptação. Não hesite em buscar apoio de profissionais locais caso sinta necessidade. E lembre-se de cuidar da sua saúde mental e emocional, pois isso é fundamental, principalmente estando longe de casa.

Meine Tipps: - Entspannung und Pausen einbauen. Meditation, Spaziergang, frische Luft, Geheimtipp Nagelmatte... - Genug Schlaf und regelmäßiges Aufstehen zur gleichen Zeit - Sport als Ausgleich und Dinge tun, die man liebt

Looking for help is always the best option, but I don't just mean professional help (sometimes you either don't have the time or can't afford it). I mean finding support groups with whom to share those feelings that unite us all when we live and work abroad. My experience was in language classes. There I found a wonderful group of people who were in the same situation as me. We became friends and met at weekends to do things together. It was very comforting to find the same testimony and to become strong together. That also helped us to start feeling that strange city as our new home.

Um Stress insbesondere im Ausland zu bewältigen, hilft es aus meiner Sicht, sich klarzumachen, welche Ziele man während der Zeit im Ausland erreichen möchte. Ist die Erreichung dieser Ziele mit Stress und Druck verbunden, ist es geboten, sich einen Weg zu suchen, wie man diese Ziele möglichst effizient erreichen kann. In einer anstrengenden Situation kann zudem helfen, zu wissen, wie lang diese andauern wird und wann sie vorbei ist. Ein weiterer Baustein zum Abbau von Stress ist das Setzen klarer Grenzen.

Um Stress insbesondere im Ausland zu bewältigen, hilft es aus meiner Sicht, sich klarzumachen, welche Ziele man während der Zeit im Ausland erreichen möchte. Ist die Erreichung dieser Ziele mit Stress und Druck verbunden, ist es geboten, sich einen Weg zu suchen, wie man diese Ziele möglichst effizient erreichen kann. In einer anstrengenden Situation kann zudem helfen, zu wissen, wie lang diese andauern wird und wann sie beendet sein wird. Auch das Setzen von Grenzen ist ein gute Mittel zur Bewältigung von Stress.

1st Enroll a language course 2nd Enter business community (claster) group 3rd Enroll dance classes (no joke) By entering various groups you will both connect with people and learn. It is of utmost importance when you don't know people from the place where you live. Simpe approach, but still effective.

Learning the language and engage with "the locals" as much as possible instead of only sticking to your expat group will enrich the experience and create a much better work life balance