Do you feel like you are constantly on the go… like you are working 24/7 with very little time for yourself? If so, you’re not alone. Burnout is a real thing, which is why maintaining a healthy work-life balance is so important.
But what is this and how do you achieve it? That’s what we will be exploring in today’s blog. Keep reading to find out more.
What is Work-Life Balance?
Simply put, work-life balance refers to the time spent between working and your personal life. Having a good work-life balance is so important for your mental health and well-being.
A good work-life balance involves:
- Meeting deadlines at work without eating into your own time
- Having enough time to do things you enjoy
- Feeling productive at work without experiencing burnout
- Being able to enjoy hobbies without feeling overwhelmed by work
What is an Unhealthy Work-Life Balance?
Being busy at work is completely normal; however, if your work begins to eat into your own time or if you find yourself working out of work hours to get things done, then you probably don’t have a healthy work-life balance.
The last thing you want is to apply for a job and feel like all you do is work with little to no time for yourself. An unhealthy work-life balance can have many negative effects on your mental health and wellbeing, such as:
- Increased stress and anxiety
- Burnout and exhaustion
- Reduced job satisfaction
Did you know some studies show that working long hours may increase your risk of cardiovascular disease?
If you have an unhealthy work-life balance, then you may dread work. You may even struggle to sleep at night due to the stress. But do you have an unhealthy work-life balance? Here are some signs to look out for:
- You feel like you have no time for friends or family
- You struggle to focus
- You feel irritable all the time
- You never have time for yourself
- You’re constantly working overtime
- You don’t remember the last time you had fun
- Every day feels the same… eat, sleep, work, repeat!
Does any of this sound like you? If so, you may have an unhealthy work-life balance… but don’t worry because you’re not alone and there are many ways you can fix this!
How Can You Achieve a Healthy Work-Life Balance?
Simply put, there is no answer that will fit everyone. For example, something that may help you improve your work-life balance may not help others. However, we can provide you with some tips and tricks that you can try.
1- It’s Okay to Say No
Although it’s good to help out around the workplace when you can, saying yes to working overtime or taking on more work all the time can lead to you feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. It’s important to set boundaries.
Don’t feel like you always have to say yes to every opportunity to work overtime! It’s okay to say no now and then… after all, there is always someone else to share the workload with.
2- Leave Work at Work
Work can become busy. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with tasks due at the end of the week and we can struggle to get everything done in time… So, what do we do? We start to work in our own time.
Although this is acceptable every once in a while, I wouldn’t recommend it. If you are unable to complete your tasks during working hours, then there is a problem.
This is something your manager should be able to help with—work together to find a solution, whether it be adjusting deadlines, sharing workload or prioritising tasks more effectively.
3- Use Your Time Wisely
It can be easy to become distracted at work, and sometimes we find ourselves talking for too long and not producing as much work as we would like. Due to this, we then start to stress and finish the work in our own time. However, this can be avoided.
Consider using productivity hacks, such as the Pomodoro technique. This way, you can get your work done while incorporating breaks into your daily routine.
Taking breaks is so important at work because if you try to work without taking breaks, then this can negatively impact your productivity and again, lead to burnout.
4- Go Out for Lunch
Sometimes, leaving work for an hour can massively improve your productivity and mental health. Instead of staying in the office because you have ‘work to finish’, consider going for lunch with your co-workers.
This way, you feel more refreshed and motivated when you return to work. Even if you leave for a short walk, a change of scenery can boost your creativity and productivity skills. Research shows that productivity improves by 45% when workers spend 29 minutes outside.
5- Take Time Off
Last but not least, make sure you treat yourself to some well-earned time off! You’re entitled to holidays and sick days! Did you know that 1 in 4 people worry about how taking a sick day will be perceived by their manager?
If this sounds like you, remember that prioritising your well-being is not a sign of weakness! Most of the time, your employers and colleagues would rather you rest and recover than risk spreading illness.
So don’t feel guilty about taking the time you need—you’ll return feeling better and more productive!
Manage Your Work-Life Balance With MOVE
If you are a business owner struggling to achieve a healthy work-life balance or want to help your team members become better at achieving work-life balance, we at MOVE can help. We offer a wide range of services, including business coaching to help you develop strategies, such as:
- Managing your time effectively
- Stress management techniques to keep you calm under pressure
- Personalised advice on how to create boundaries between work and personal life
For more information or to find out how you can manage your work-life balance, don’t hesitate to contact us today at 07852 970 718. We look forward to hearing from you!
Mark is a multi-award winner in business networking and relationship building. He is passionate about coaching and mentoring business owners and professionals through 1-1 & group coaching, team performance workshops and group mastermind sessions.