What Is Work-Life Balance?
A shift to hybrid and remote working in recent years has meant that the lines between work and leisure have become rather blurred for many, as their homes have become the office. This article will answer the question “What is work-life balance?” and provide advice on how you can identify whether you have an unhealthy work-life balance, as well as suggesting ways you can work with your employer to create a healthier working environment so that you can divide your time appropriately.
What is work-life balance?
‘Work-life balance’ is a term used to describe the time spent at work versus the time spent dedicated to personal life, such as family, friends and hobbies.
In recent years, it has become more and more apparent that ‘work’ and ‘life’ operate separately which can lead to a disproportionate split of time for each. In turn, this can cause physical and mental health issues as we constantly strive to meet the needs of our personal lives as well as performance at work.
What is a healthy work-life balance?
What is viewed as a ‘healthy work-life balance’ can differ from person to person, day to day. The ultimate goal is to feel fulfilled in both areas of life, whichever way that split is deemed most important for you.
What many people often overlook is that there doesn’t need to be an even split of hours between work and personal life; you may be required to work longer hours on some days in order to meet a deadline, while other days there is more of a focus on home life and family time. To achieve a healthy work-life balance, it’s important to remain flexible and accept that your structure on one day might differ the next.
For the sake of your physical and mental health, it’s imperative to prioritise you. Making time to exercise, eating a healthy diet and partaking in hobbies you enjoy will keep you feeling motivated, energised and happy which will filter into all areas of your life.
What are the signs of an unhealthy work-life balance?
Unfortunately, it can be easy to slip into working habits that are considered unhealthy, particularly if your role involves working from home. This might see you working well into the evening or at weekends, leaving you little to no time to enjoy your home life.
The negative impact this can have on stress levels and mental health is significant, leading many to feel overwhelmed and anxious. Not only that, work-related stress can also cause physical problems, such as sleeping difficulties, heart palpitations, fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders that affect bones, joints and muscles.
For these reasons, many employees miss work due to work-related issues, causing a spike in absence leave rates for businesses across the UK. Not only does this affect performance, but it also impacts the profitability of these companies.
What are the benefits of having a healthy work-life balance?
When a healthier work-life balance is achieved, it can have a considerably positive impact on general well-being; this is key to being a well-rounded employee, family member and friend. The benefits of having a healthy work-life balance include:
- Lower stress levels
- Encourages a motivated lifestyle
- Reduced risk of burning out
- Improved motivation and productivity
- Time to lead a healthier lifestyle
- Lower sickness leave rates
How can your employer help with work-life balance?
When it comes to work-life balance, it’s important to focus on how you work rather than the number of hours you are working so that you are operating at your full capacity. Listen to your instincts and vocalise to your employer how you would like to work for a collaborative approach.
With remote and hybrid working, it can sometimes be difficult to set specific working hours and the line between work time and home time can blur. As such, make sure you set specific working hours so that you don’t find yourself answering work emails or spending time on projects late into the evening or at weekends. Not only does this help you manage your time, but it also manages expectations with clients and colleagues.
Leaving it too long to schedule in your allocated annual leave days can result in burn out – as such, remember to make the most of the holiday days you’re entitled to, even if you don’t have a trip away booked, ensuring you don’t leave it too long before taking time off work. Taking a day or two of annual leave here and there to have some ‘me time’ allows you to recharge the batteries and come back to work feeling energised.
For a happier, more productive working environment at your business, contact Healthier Workforce today. With a wealth of experience, we are one of the leading occupational health experts operating throughout the UK. We have worked hard to earn this industry standing, offering a comprehensive range of services to deliver the best results for our clients. These include occupational health referrals, health surveillance, sickness absence management and occupational health assessments, to name just a few.
No matter the sector, allow your business to reach its potential with simple contact Healthier Workforce – we’ll take care of the rest.