Work-life balance is the ability to effectively manage the time spent on professional responsibilities and personal wellbeing, interests or pursuits outside of work. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance requires an active decision and ongoing prioritisation. It is possible to learn how to improve work-life balance, and it should get easier the more we practice it. There is a lot of advice and thoughts on the importance of a healthy work-life balance. However, the choice is up to each individual, and what work-life balance practically looks like will vary from person-to-person.
Life as we know it in the 21st century couldn’t be more different from that of those living 100 years ago. Technology has advanced in leaps and bounds. Not so long ago, people were astounded by motion pictures. Now we live in a world with smartphones that allow us individual internet access to unlimited information. And we can travel across the world in a day! In today’s fast-paced world, understanding the importance of work-life balance is an essential skill.
“A healthy work-life balance can be tricky to maintain.”
Interestingly, numerous studies show that a greater work-life balance correlates with better physical and mental health of employees.
Why is Work-Life Balance Important?
Work used to be seen as a means to an end. A way of funding the lifestyle one needed to ensure that one was safe, warm, fed and able to have some fun too. For most, the current culture idolises work. Making it the ultimate thing, where working later than others is a badge of honour and admirable. As a result, many arrive at work earlier than required, leave later than they should and then work at home. For those working from home, boundaries between work and personal time have become blurred. One of the main reasons is that smartphones allow employers and employees to have 24/7 instant communication with each other.
What Happens When You Have a Poor Work-Life Balance?
- Decreased productivity due to mental fatigue and exhaustion.
- Increased risk of illnesses, such as strokes, cardiovascular disease and mental problems.
- Damaged relationships, as a result of missing time with family and friends.
Signs of a Healthy Work-Life Balance
- When at home, not worrying about work.
- Having time with family and friends while also being able to meet work deadlines.
- Being able to maintain a healthy diet.
- Getting enough good-quality sleep.
- Spending time on leisure activities such as exercise and hobbies.
“A bad work-life balance can have negative long term health consequences.”
6 Simple Ways to Improve Your Work-Life Balance
1. Create Boundaries
Smartphones have broken down barriers to communication in the workplace. It’s great when you need quick responses or want to coordinate with others on a project. But it can be detrimental to being able to properly unplug from work and relax. Thus, the need to create boundaries which are realistic while remaining fair to yourself and promoting all-around wellness.
As a first step, decide when you are available to answer work-related communication (emails, chat groups, WhatsApp and messages). Then refrain from checking your phone for work messages and emails outside of those hours. Let people know when you will respond and that after hours or while on holiday, you are not available. If need be, reinforce your boundaries by explaining that you are doing this to ensure that you properly prioritise family/friends/exercise. You could also add that you have realised you are more productive at work when you completely unplug from it after hours.
2. Maintain Your Digital Wellness
Digital wellness is measured according to the impact of devices and technology on our mental, physical, emotional and social health. One of the ways to maintain it is to regularly set aside time to go offline. Plan when and how long you are going to take a break from your communication and social media platforms. Doing so has been shown to decrease stress and anxiety, as well as improve sleeping patterns and enable people to relax better.
3. Practice Saying No
Being able to say “No” is an important part of life. It’s a powerful word which helps us take back and maintain control within our own lives. Those who say “No” tend to be more focused on what their actual work and personal responsibilities are. As a result, they perform well in their jobs, complete their own work on time, and their priorities aren’t neglected. While you may need to take on extra work or help someone with their workload, this should not be the norm. If you do find that increasing demands are being placed on you, it may be time to speak up.
4. Plan
Time management is an invaluable skill. And being able to do it well requires planning.
- Have a timetable of scheduled and regular requirements.
- Draw up a prioritised task list for ad hoc, short-term or once-off requirements.
- Divide big projects into smaller tasks that you can manage on a day-by-day basis.
- Reward yourself with breaks when you complete these tasks.
- Be sure to take breaks at regular intervals, as this helps to maximise your ability to concentrate and keep motivated.
5. Take a Breath
Executive coach Marilyn Puder-York recommends dedicating time to wellness activities such as exercise, yoga or meditation. Activities such as these help to reduce stress and promote good health, as well as providing an escape from work. Deep-breathing exercises help soothe the nervous system and keep you centred.
6. Take Leave
Many people choose not to take leave as they fear falling behind at work or being perceived as lazy. However, taking leave isn’t a nice-to-have but rather a necessity. Scheduling blocks of time away from work has been shown to increase productivity and creativity at work. As well as boost life satisfaction and happiness.
A 2016 report from Project Time Off showed that careers are advantaged by taking time off. Employees who took 11 or more days of leave were more likely to have received a raise or bonus in the previous 3 years than those who took 10 or fewer vacation days.
Helping to Balance Life
According to the World Health Organisation, stress is considered the “Health Epidemic of the 21st Century”. As a result, sometimes to create a better work-life balance, part of the process is to seek out an expert. One of the options open to you is to find a counsellor or a psychologist. Alternatively, you could figure out how best to balance life by hiring a life coach.
If you are interested in helping others to find their work-life balance, consider enrolling in a psychology course at SACAP. SACAP (The South African College of Applied Psychology) has a range of psychology courses with options to study part-time or full-time. For more information, contact a student advisor today or enrol online.
Upskill for Better Work-Life Balance
You can actively develop and improve your work-life balance by building real-world skills that support your professional and personal life.
Consider building skills you can apply immediately with these short online courses from SACAP Global:
FAQ:
1. What is good work-life balance?
A good work-life balance means being able to meet work responsibilities while still having time for personal wellbeing and pursuits.
2. Why is work-life balance important?
It helps reduce stress, improve mental health and, subsequently, increase productivity.
3. How can I improve my work-life balance quickly?
You can start by setting boundaries, planning your time and taking regular breaks.
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