I thought we could explore a topic many people here at Humbercare can relate to the struggle to find a positive work-life balance.
If you struggle to turn your work-self off after a day at work, this post is for you.
What I will cover is not a be-all and end-all guide to maintaining work-life equilibrium; it is a handful of tips that I think are important for everyone to know.
What does work-life balance mean?
A healthy work-life balance means maintaining a harmonious relationship between your personal and work lives. It means working effectively without worrying about your home life while switching off and relaxing after you clock out.
Why is it important?
The typical work week is around 40 hours. However, most people work a lot more than that. Overtime and checking emails after work hours contribute to people working more than they should. When we work more than we should, our bodies let us know as we become stressed and tired. Over time, some negative side effects might develop if we continue to overwork ourselves.
One such side effect is that you might notice you are getting fewer hours of sleep per night. Most adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep a night to function properly on both a physical and cognitive level. Less sleep can hinder how you cope with stress and recover from illnesses, among other side effects
Overworking can lead to you not eating or drinking properly throughout the workday. You might be so invested in a work task that you skip lunch or don’t drink regularly enough. Not eating throughout the day can cause your blood sugar levels to drop, leading to low energy levels and increasing the likelihood that you resort to eating unhealthy foods later in the day.
Another health-related side effect is that low energy levels make people more likely to give up exercise. The NHS has in-depth guidelines on how much exercise adults should do per week. One point I find especially noteworthy is that we should aim to “do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity a week."
A harmonious work-life balance is important as it can reduce your risk of burnout.
Burnouts occur when we become overwhelmed with work, stress, and struggle to meet our daily demands. We all need to separate work and home life and occasionally take time off for ourselves, so there is no shame in doing so.
How can I improve my work-life balance?
Holidays are wonderful. A chance to truly relax on the beach, hike up a mountain, or sip drinks in an inner-city bar, holidays are not a luxury; they are a necessity. In our modern world, we need to take longer breaks from work and allow our bodies time to decompress fully. Having a holiday improves your productivity and focus when returning to work.
Akin to taking holidays to break up a year of work, take short breaks periodically throughout the day. We, as humans, are not designed to sit at desks and stare at computer screens all day. We are mobile creatures, so taking short breaks to walk or chat with colleagues massively benefits our physical and mental health.
While at university, I found a useful technique to help me focus while writing essays.
Take a five-minute break every forty-five minutes you work. Make sure you do something away from your desk. Get a drink, show your colleague funny videos of your cat, or go to the toilet. Anything that gets you away from your work for five minutes will help you recalibrate your brain and return with a renewed focus for another forty-five minutes. Rinse, repeat and thank me later.
Be willing to communicate with your higher-ups about ways to improve your work-life balance. They cannot make changes that benefit you if you do not tell them you are struggling to find time to do everything you need to. Even if your desires are farfetched, do not be afraid to ask.
Overall, having a balance between your work and personal lives is necessary as it not only increases your productivity in the workplace, making you a bigger asset to your managers, but more importantly helps you lay the foundations for better sleep, a clearer mind, and an all-round healthier and happier life.
I hope this post has helped you in any way possible, I am always thankful to anyone who reads it.
References:
For more information on exercise and sleep guidelines, check out these resources:
Thank you all for reading and see you next time.
