Using the 8+8+8 Rule to Prevent End-of-Year Burnout
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” may be an old proverb, but it’s just as relevant today as it was a hundred years ago. Work-life balance is key to staying happy and healthy at the end of the year, and the 8+8+8 rule is one way to keep that balance in check.?
Company culture is a company’s identity in many ways, and work-life balance plays a big role in that. As the year comes to a close and stress ramps up, maintaining a good balance is essential to sustain a positive company culture.?
So let’s take a closer look at the 8+8+8 rule and how to use it to prevent end-of-year burnout.?
Tackling End-of-Year Burnout
Tackling employee burnout can be difficult—especially when people experience end-of-year burnout, it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.?
Between end-of-year work stresses like Q4 deadlines, personal stresses around the holidays, and other seasonal worries, burnout can hit hard from October to December.
But that’s exactly why the 8+8+8 rule exists—to help people deal with burnout and prevent it from happening in the future. It’s a valuable tool that can help you improve overall company culture and boost employee morale.
What is the 8+8+8 Rule?
The 8 8 8 rule is simple; the day should be divided into three equal blocks of eight hours—eight for sleep, eight for work, and eight for personal time/recreation. Doing so is meant to provide a healthy balanced lifestyle that prevents stress and burnout.?
The rule was created by Welsh industrialist and social reformer Robert Owen in the early 1800s. He wanted to create a perfect daily structure that balanced personal needs with the need to work in a healthy way.??
While there are lots of strategies for time management, this is one of the simplest and most effective. By allotting time for sleep and personal affairs, you ensure that work doesn’t take up an unhealthy amount of your time and mental space.
This is essential if you want high-performing teams. Employees perform best when they are happy and healthy, so their wellbeing is in your interest too. So let’s break down the 8+8+8 rule and look at each block.
8 Hours of Work
Eight hours is considered the standard workday, and within the 8 8 8 rule, you’ll want to try and maximize those eight hours to be as productive as possible.
To get the most out of your eight hours or work, you should use all the typical strategies to boost productivity and engagement such as taking short breaks, prioritizing tasks based on urgency, optimizing your work environment, and limiting distractions.
Putting your phone on Do Not Disturb is a great way to avoid distractions while you get your work done. If you work in an office, allow short breaks for chatting with coworkers and grabbing coffee, but make it known to others when you need your alone time to work.
8 Hours of Rest
Many people overlook the importance of sleep, but getting a good night’s rest plays a huge role in mental health, wellbeing, productivity, and much more.?
Not sleeping enough can cause a variety of problems, such as increased stress, decreased productivity, increased irritability, and more. These can cause issues in the workplace like resenteeism or absenteeism.?
On the flip side, getting a full eight hours of sleep has many benefits. It can give you more energy, increase productivity, alleviate stress, and improve overall well being.?
To get proper sleep, keep an eye on sleep hygiene. Don’t drink caffeine late at night, avoid screens before bed, only use your bed/bedroom for sleep, have a pre-sleep routine, and stick to a consistent sleep schedule.?
8 Hours of Personal Time
While personal time might be the most commonly overlooked aspect of the 8+8+8 rule, it’s just as important as the workday and sleep.?
Personal time and hobbies are what makes our lives ours. We work so we can live and do the things we enjoy, not vice versa. Taking time to yourself and engaging in hobbies is essential for having a healthy, balanced life and maintaining employee wellness.??
Some people have no issue finding hobbies and things to do with their personal time, but others struggle. If you are looking for hobbies, there are tons of hobby groups out there for every interest imaginable. Find something that interests you and give it a shot.?
Whether it’s playing an instrument, joining a local sports league, going to a weekly run club, or spending time with family and friends, it’s essential that you make time for yourself and the things you enjoy.?
Boost Morale and Avoid End-of-Year Burnout
End-of-year burnout is common as Q4 comes to an end and the holidays approach. It’s a lot of stress at once, and it can be overwhelming. That’s why you need to leverage time management techniques like the 8+8+8 rule to keep a healthy work-life balance.?
By setting aside eight hours for work, eight for sleep, and eight for personal time, you can live a healthy and balanced lifestyle that can boost morale, increase productivity, and better overall company culture.?
Start making your employees’ 8 hours at work better with TeamBonding. Book a team building activity to help you and your employees enjoy your work more while improving key skills like communication, leadership, and more.
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