What is work-life balance?

Many people struggle with having enough time to balance all of their obligations. As a result, finding a good balance between work and personal life becomes increasingly challenging. Having harmony between the various facets of your life defines a healthy work-life balance. Each area's advantages might complement and reinforce those of the others.

Who is impacted by an inadequate work-life balance?

Many people struggle with having enough time to balance all of their obligations. As a result, finding a good balance between work and personal life becomes increasingly challenging. Having harmony between the various facets of your life is the definition of a healthy work-life balance. Each area's advantages might complement and reinforce those of the others. —>Working long hours can have an adverse effect on your health, raise stress, and reduce leisure time. —>Working from home and having flexible hours might be advantageous, especially if you have children. But because there is no distinction between work and home, it can make balancing work and life challenging.

Who’s affected by poor work-life balance?

Working long hours can impact your health, increase stress and cut into leisure activities.

Flexible hours and working from home can be helpful, particularly if you have a family. But it can make work-life balance tricky since there’s no separation between work and home.

Poor work-life balance can cause stress

Pick up the phone and actually call or video chat with someone. Texting isn’t enough!

Work-related factors might have a detrimental effect on mental health. The risk of mental health issues can be increased by job stress, employment uncertainty, and a lack of control in the workplace.

Humans naturally experience stress when faced with difficult or risky circumstances. Working under a tight deadline, for example, can actually be beneficial and enhance attentiveness, energy, and productivity.

However, "living on adrenaline" has a limited shelf life. It can be physically and psychologically exhausting if the stress persists for too long or beyond your capacity to handle it. Chronic stress may negatively impact your relationships, professional achievement, and health.

Burnout is a state of emotional and physical exhaustion that can occur after a long period of excessive or stressful work.

The 3 key features of burnout

Break down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, and reward yourself for completing them!

• emotional exhaustion

• a feeling of detachment from work or becoming cynical

• reduced efficiency or lacking a sense of achievement

Burnout also includes ‘compassion fatigue’, where one loses the emotional capacity to care about others. This can lead to simply ‘going through the motions’ and can be a problem for those in health or caring professions where compassion is integral to their work.

How do I (try to) keep work-life balance

1. Know your values

Consider what matters most to you in life for a while. How much time exactly do you devote to your priorities? Make time for the pursuits that make you feel alive by taking into account your hobbies and interests.

2. Practice time management

To-do lists, calendars, and apps are all effective tools for monitoring your time usage. Reduce time "wastage" by taking a closer look at your usual week.

3. Set boundaries

Limit the amount of time you spend working and schedule time for other hobbies. Turn off the phone, restrict your access to work emails, or spend a few hours without using the internet. Learn how to say ‘no’.

5. Consider your finances

Do you really need a new bike? Could you be happy living in a less expensive home or location? Research shows that once our basic needs are met, a higher income does not necessarily lead to happiness. Spending less money could mean fewer work hours and more time for a rewarding life

6. Nurture relationships

Positive relationships and social support help build resilience and help you cope with stress. But these take time to nurture and develop. Prioritize time with your family, friends, neighbors or loved ones.

7. Focus on your health

Regular exercise is proven to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Get enough sleep at regular times, eat healthy food, drink alcohol in moderation and avoid illegal drugs.

8. Have down time

Rest periods are just as important to success since they ‘recharge your batteries’. Schedule regular time off for yourself each week to read a book, play sport, spend time in nature or just do nothing. Choose any activity you enjoy.