Work-Life Balance: It’s Not a Myth!
Publishing Solutions Group
Full-service development, production, translation and audio for print & digital products. K-16. SOWMBA certified.
By Ari LaColla
Spring 2024 Intern
If you’re in the workforce, you’ve probably heard the term “work-life balance” before. Work-life balance refers to the time you spend working versus the time you spend focusing on things outside of work, such as family, friends, and hobbies. While this might seem simple, it can often be challenging to figure out how to balance work with other aspects of life. The positives of having a good work-life balance are worth the challenge, though. It can improve your mental health, reduce stress levels, lower the risk of burnout, and even help your physical health ! There are benefits for employers, too. Employers who ensure a good work environment can save on costs, experience fewer absences, and create a more loyal and productive workforce.?
Many people find that work affects their personal lives, with 71% of employees saying work stress affects their home lives. What are some ways to improve your work-life balance? The first important step is to reflect on your personal life. What is causing you stress and dissatisfaction, and are you sacrificing things of personal importance for your work? Pay attention to how you are feeling and what you can do to improve your well-being. Many people realize that their work-life balance is unhealthy after going through a big life event , like starting a family or getting married. It is important, though, to give this consideration daily as well.
There may be pressure to have a perfect work-life balance, but this is nearly impossible. You should, instead, strive for a realistic balance. Making time for your loved ones and your hobbies outside of work is a great way to improve your well-being and reduce stress about work. If you constantly check your work email, try setting boundaries with your co-workers and let them know you will no longer respond to emails when you aren’t working.? If necessary, have a conversation with your manager to discuss ways to improve your work-life balance.?
Fostering a better work-life balance can help to spark your passion for your work, and you might find yourself more productive than before. There are some strategies that you can use while you are at work as well. For example, try to avoid procrastination , as this can build up pressure at home if you know you are behind at work. Set manageable goals for each day so you can feel accomplished while staying on task. One method for creating and fulfilling goals is the S.M.A.R.T . goal method which is common in project management. This stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. If your goal fits into all of these categories, you will have a goal that will be doable while still keeping your job challenging and interesting.
The impact of a good work-life balance has become much more prevalent since the COVID-19 pandemic, both for employers and employees. After COVID-19, more people became attracted to jobs for their work-life balance rather than their salary . The COVID-19 pandemic also introduced many companies to the idea of offering employees the option to work from home in a remote capacity or even hybrid by coming into the office a few days per week which can also be a way to improve work-life balance.?
Your mental and physical health are both crucial to your well-being and improving your work-life balance can cause improvements in both. While work is important, so is taking time for yourself and giving yourself all of the care you need. This can be hard to remember, but that’s exactly why work-life balance is so key!
Did you know?
Studies show that working overtime or working longer hours does not equate to more productivity. If you are constantly working overtime, you are more susceptible to burnout, which will affect your regular hours as well.
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