Our world has become unpredictable and fast-changing. Technology has brought new challenges and, very often, we all are under pressure to be constantly connected. As a result of this, the lines between home life and work life are becoming increasingly blurred, especially for persons who work for themselves and/or work from home.
An unhealthy work-life balance occurs when work becomes overwhelming and takes precedence over personal life, leading to negative consequences for an individual’s well-being.
On the other hand, work-life balance refers to the balance between the time and effort you dedicate to your job and the time and energy you allocate to other aspects of your life, such as family, friends, hobbies, and personal well-being.
Cooks-Campbell (2023) opines that a healthy work-life balance involves consciously managing your time and energy to meet both professional and personal commitments while prioritizing self-care and well-being. The minimization of work-related stress, and the establishment of a stable and sustainable way to work while maintaining health and general well-being.
A healthy employee work-life balance involves setting boundaries between work and personal life, prioritizing self-care, and managing time effectively. This can include strategies such as setting specific work hours, taking regular breaks, and engaging in activities outside of work that bring joy and relaxation.
A healthy employee work-life balance drives engagement, productivity, and retention; and is important for overall well-being, productivity, and satisfaction.
When a person has reached a sustainable work-life balance, they can experience various positive effects, such as the following:
- Reduced stress
- Reduced burnout
- Heightened sense of well-being
Finding balance means:
· Being able to manage your workload and meet deadlines without working all hours.
· Maintaining boundaries between work and non-work life so you’re not worrying or thinking about work all the time.
· Being able to manage your workload and meet deadlines without working all hours.
· Maintaining boundaries between work and non-work life so you’re not worrying or thinking about work all the time.
· Make an effort to look after your physical and mental wellness.
(Bernard Marr, 2023)
Leaning on a work-life balance coach can also be a great resource if you’re looking to improve your work-life balance. Not only can a coach help you practice balance, but the coach can also help you get the promotion you’ve been working toward or present you with a new career opportunity by advising on how you can perform well at work, achieve your personal and professional goals, be there for your loved ones, and feel your best.
If you need any kind of help to achieve a life-work balance, you can contact us NOW to chat with someone on our team to figure out if we can help with your unique situation.
