Achieving a Healthy Work-Life Balance
You’ve probably heard the motto “Work hard, play hard,” which sounds exciting, but in practice is difficult to sustain.
Finding the right balance between work commitments and personal life is crucial for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. For many, that means having enough time outside of work to relax and recharge.
Whether it’s pursuing hobbies, spending time with loved ones, or doing nothing at all, having time away from work can help reduce stress and improve your overall happiness. In this article, we’ll explore what a healthy work-life balance can look like, why it’s important, and share some useful strategies you can implement at home and work.
What is Work-Life Balance?
Work-life balance means having the right mix of time spent on work-related responsibilities versus time spent enjoying your life outside of work. It means when you’re not working, you’re able to “switch off” and be present in your personal life. Employees who find the right balance are often less stressed, more productive, and happier at work! It means they can meet all their work commitments and personal responsibilities while still enjoying downtime… sounds tricky, we know, but let’s work through some of the details together!
Common Causes of Poor Work-Life Balance
There are several factors that contribute to poor work-life balance, depending on the industry and role that you’re in. Here are just a few:
1. Technology and Constant Connectivity:
Being accessible 24/7 by phone, email, and instant messaging platforms often means that the line between work and personal life gets blurred. It’s easy to answer a few emails after work hours, check on project updates, or respond to messages from co-workers and managers if the notifications continue to pop up.
2. Varied Work Hours:
Many jobs have moved towards flexible work schedules, with working hours outside of the traditional 9 am to 5 pm. While this works wonderfully well for many people, there are also jobs that require you to work irregular hours, take shiftwork for example. When you’re not on a consistent schedule, it can be hard to plan or make commitments in your personal life, which can get in the way of what you need to get done at home.
3. Demanding Job Responsibilities:
High-stress jobs with overly demanding responsibilities that require constant attention can eventually lead to burnout. Pressure to meet high targets or tight deadlines can lead to longer hours and working on your regular days off. Consider speaking with your manager about adjustments to your workload to provide you with some relief throughout your work week.
4. Lack of Flexibility in Work Schedule:
On the opposite end of flexibility and shiftwork hours, if you have a rigid work schedule, with limited or no option to adjust your working hours or work remotely, you may struggle to manage personal commitments. A lack of flexibility can make it hard to juggle life outside of work if there is little-to-no option to adjust working hours to meet your own needs.
Importance of Good Work-Life Balance
The benefits of maintaining a healthy work-life balance go well beyond simply having some extra time to relax. Here are a few examples of why it’s so important:
1. Reduced Stress and Burnout:
Striking a healthy balance between work and your personal life can help reduce the amount of stress that you are dealing with and prevent burnout. Taking a break from work both mentally and physically, and spending time doing things that “fill your cup” can help improve your overall well-being. For example, if you enjoy long walks in the park, make it one of your priorities to get at least one or two park walks into your schedule during your week.
2. Improved Physical and Mental Health
A good work-life balance makes it easier for you to lead a healthy lifestyle, allowing time for regular exercise, preparing your own meals, spending time outdoors, and making sure you get enough sleep. Doing activities that you enjoy and connecting with friends and family also have a positive impact on your emotional and mental well-being! Maybe you can combine them, perhaps you can set aside some time for a coffee date with a loved one and cook a meal with them as part of your visit.
3. Increased Job Satisfaction and Productivity:
If you have a healthy balance of work versus life’s needs, it can often lead to greater productivity during your working hours. Having a consistent, flexible, and manageable work schedule can also lead to greater job satisfaction, with reduced stress levels and risk of burnout. It provides a sense of stable routine, which is more important to our stress levels than you may think!
4. Better Relationships with Family and Friends
The right work-life balance will allow you to spend more, and less rushed or tense, quality time with family and friends. Whether it’s some chill time at home with loved ones or being able to make it to celebrations and other family gatherings, having a great work-life balance means you can maintain these important relationships.
Work-Life Balance Strategies and Tips
Achieving the perfect harmony of work and personal life takes a proactive approach (and we know it won’t be instant and can be some work to achieve). Here are some of our tips on how navigate the delicate balance that is work and life:
Set Boundaries Between Work and Personal Life
Establish clear boundaries to separate work from your personal time. This could include setting specific work times and making sure you leave work no later than your official finishing time. You may also find things like setting your phone to Do Not Disturb helps you avoid being pulled into work-related activities after hours.
Prioritize Tasks and Manage Time Effectively
Time management is essential for balancing work and personal life. It helps you work efficiently to meet deadlines within designated hours, leaving you free to enjoy your downtime. Prioritize tasks based on their importance and due dates and use tools like to-do lists and calendars to stay organized! We also have articles on each of these topics for you to check out: “Improving Your Time Management Skills”, and “Mastering Prioritization: A Key to Success”.
Take Breaks and Prioritize Self-Care
Taking regular breaks throughout the workday can help you maintain focus and productivity. Give your brain (and eyeballs) a break from the computer screen, and step away for a few minutes! We also recommend using something like blue light protection glasses to help out if you’re looking at a computer screen for the majority of your work day, or a standing desk that you can adjust so you don’t sit the entire day.
Self-care should be a priority, so ensure you’re looking after yourself by scheduling time for activities that promote well-being, such as a walk outside during your lunch break for some fresh air, at least once a day.
Communicate with Your Employer About Work-Life Balance Needs
Communicating openly with your employer about work-life balance needs can help lead to positive changes (but don’t take advantage of them). Whether you’re looking to make your schedule more flexible or lighten your workload, think about your needs and how you can realistically implement them to create a better balance in your life.
Delegate Tasks and Responsibilities When Appropriate
Delegating tasks can help reduce your workload and stress, not to mention it’s also a valuable leadership skill! By trusting your teammates to handle certain responsibilities and tasks, you can better manage your own workload.
Engage in Hobbies and Leisure Activities Outside of Work
Find hobbies and leisure activities that you are interested in and that allow you to relax and unwind from work. Do you enjoy playing sports? Or prefer to unwind with a good book? Doing things that you enjoy can boost your mood and improve your mental and physical health! So go take that pottery class, or go on that hike, or read that new book. Enjoy your “you” time.
Get Support from Family, Friends, or Professionals
Sometimes work is stressful no matter how hard you try to find balance. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there! Don’t hesitate to seek support from family, friends, or professionals (some workplaces offer support programs as part of your benefit package) if you’re finding it hard to balance work and home.
Remember, achieving a healthy work-life balance is a journey, not a destination. Keep trying different strategies until you find what works best for you, and don’t be afraid to seek help if you need it. Your well-being is worth the effort!
Additional resources to help you improve your work-life balance!
Canadian Mental Health Association offers a variety of resources to support you and your mental health, both at work and outside of it!
Kootenay Employment Services has a collection of articles on various career advice topics that might give you some addional insight!
Canada Life has an excellently detailed article with a variety of media (to read and watch) to help guide you in the direction of a great work-life balance.
The Government of Canada has information for employers on work-life balance that is well worth the read!
