Making our livelihood is one of the most important tasks of our lives. In a rapidly moving world, it is easy to lose ourselves in our work. It doesn’t matter if the work is a job, charity work, or another set of tasks. Having a healthy work-life balance is a necessity for a healthy, satisfying life. Still, many people suffer in the work culture due to poor work-life balance. In fact, one-third of full-time workers struggle with this issue, especially young employees.
Amending this may seem difficult, but it is not impossible. In this article, we will break down what a healthy work-life balance is, why it can be lost, and how to attain it.
A. What is work-life balance?
In simple terms, work-life balance means having a balanced division of one’s time between working activities and leisure activities. Going to work should not be the only thing on one’s schedule. Exercising, practicing a hobby, and spending time with loved ones are equally important.
B. Breaking the balance and burnout
Even though a good work-life balance is so important for our physical and mental health, this balance is often broken due to numerous factors. Sometimes we overwork because of financial reasons. Sometimes we work to avoid facing other things in our life that weigh on us. Sometimes we believe the work we do is more important than everything else in our life. Whatever the reason, overworking leads to burnout.
What is burnout?
Burnout is the culmination of sustained stress related to work. It brings feelings of exhaustion, hopelessness, and cynicism. The common symptoms of burnout are:
- sustained fatigue
- decrease in creativity and productivity
- lack of enthusiasm and feelings of desperation
- strained relationships
- high blood pressure and heart-related problems
- insomnia
- damaged immunity system, higher risk of illness
- Isolation and loneliness
Burnout has severe effects on mental and physical health. In the long term, these effects may become seriously damaging. In order to avoid getting burned out, you should balance work with leisure activities and self-care. But how can one achieve this balance?
C. Attaining work-life balance
Although it may seem difficult at times, attaining a work-life balance is not impossible. Even the tightest working schedule can be worked into a balanced life plan. By employing the following strategies, you can begin building such a plan. This will help you preserve your mental well-being and improve your relationship with your work.
1. Start small
If you put pressure on yourself from the beginning, your effort to have a balanced life may end in another burnout. Pressure comes with feelings of guilt and tends to put people in a deadlock. This is why starting with small changes to your life is ideal when striving for a better work-life balance.
Sudden, radical changes are often unsustainable. Building your way towards a healthier schedule is possible through consistently taking small steps.
2. Set boundaries
Whether it’s between you and your coworkers, employers, or just within yourself, you should set boundaries. Learning to say “no” and establishing the limits of what is possible and acceptable in terms of your work will help you immensely. Setting boundaries may feel uncomfortable at first, but it will benefit you in the long term.
Boundaries should be a part of every relationship. A working relationship is no exception. If someone in your working environment (a team member, an employer, etc.) consistently crosses your boundaries, you should address this. You will not be in the wrong for creating a safe space for yourself and preserving your energy.
3. Work on time management
Sometimes, the only reason why a task seems so endless is that the efforts to complete it are not planned right. By building set schedules, you can avoid this problem. Planning your days and weeks beforehand will decrease your stress levels and provide you with a clear guide. You can use an agenda or an app to create this guide. To-do lists may also be helpful to get a simple overview of your important tasks.
A good schedule sets time not only for work but also for leisure and social activities. Deciding on vacation time ahead of time will also help. Making sure your rest and entertainment are also planned and not spontaneous makes it easier to have a good work-life balance. Try to divide your daily time between work and play, and make the division as equal as possible. You can also try appointing certain days as “work days” and others as your “holidays”. This method is ideal if you prefer your work to be uninterrupted, but it may not be as sustainable as having balanced days.
4. Prioritize
During different times of our lives, we tend to have different priorities. Prioritizing is an important aspect of time management, but it goes beyond managing your time. By constantly thinking about what is more important to you, you will be more true to yourself. You will be less likely to burn yourself out because the things you do will be things you care about. Moreover, learning to prioritize will make you more efficient. It will teach you organizational and problem-solving skills that will help you throughout your life.
5. Aim for flexibility
To improve your work-life balance, you should learn to be flexible. Asking for flexibility from your employers will also be beneficial. Flexible working hours and deadlines will decrease the pressure put on you. Creative solutions you come up with instead of adhering to established ones will give you an edge. With a flexible schedule and mindset, accommodating needs that may arise at any time will be easier.
6. Use your time at work wisely
Assuming that you don’t do remote work, you will be spending a significant portion of your time at your workplace. Using this time wisely is essential to work-life balance. Use your lunch breaks to eat and relax. Don’t skip lunch in order to work more. Take occasional breaks to just move your body and walk around. Try to interact with the people around you. Chances are, your coworkers share your feelings of frustration regarding work, and socializing will help all of you.
7. Make time for your loved ones
Actively working to spend more time with friends and family will make your life more fulfilling. Their presence will take your mind off work and energize you. This is why you should separate your home life from your professional life. Have times of your day when you won’t be looking at work emails or thinking of your next big project. Instead, socialize with people you love and make the most of their presence.
8. Practice self-care
After working for long hours, it is essential to spend some time rejuvenating yourself. Self-care can range from meditation to exercise to unwind with your favorite show. Personal time is very important for your overall health and happiness. Make sure you take time to take care of yourself every day.
9. Make time for hobbies
Getting new hobbies is a source of fun and fulfillment. Having things to do outside of work and socialization helps one become more well-rounded, cultivated, and independent. Sign up for classes and learn things you always wanted to learn. If you are short on time, tactfully incorporate your hobbies into your work. For example, you can use the time you have while commuting to read or listen to music. By focusing on these different areas of your life, you can have a more satisfying living experience.
10. Ask for help
People tend to burn out because they take on too much all by themselves. When you are struggling, do not hesitate to ask for help. You can consult a psychologist, a friend, a family member, someone from work, or online resources. Here at Gini Talent, we help you have a more balanced life by aiding you with matters regarding your work. From recruitment to preparing for interviews and having a good work-life balance, Gini Talent resources are here to help you in your professional life.
