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Importance Of Work-Life Balance: 8 Reasons Why It’s More Than A Buzzword

To many, the phrase “work-life balance” is nothing more than a buzzword. They believe that it’s just something that companies say to make their employees happy, without actually doing anything about it. That said, work-life balance is much more. It’s an important aspect of life that should be taken seriously. In this article, we’ll explore the meaning of work-life balance, its importance, and the risks of prioritizing work over your personal life.

 

What Is Work-Life Balance?

The phrase “work-life balance” can be defined in many different ways. However, most definitions include the idea that work and personal life should be evenly balanced, particularly in regards to time. This means that you should have enough time for both work and your personal life and that neither should take precedence over the other (8).

Many people believe that achieving a work-life balance is impossible. However, with a little bit of effort, it is definitely possible. The key is to find a balance that works for you and your lifestyle.

Why Is Work-Life Balance Important?

There are many reasons why work-life balance is important (7). Here are just a few:

1. Mental Well-Being

When you’re always working, you can start to feel burned out. This can lead to stress and anxiety. A balanced life allows you to take a break from work and relax, which is important for your mental well-being.

2. Physical Health

Working long hours can also have a negative effect on your physical health. It can lead to fatigue, stress-related illnesses, and even weight gain (2).

3. Relationship With Spouse/Partner

If you’re always working, you’ll likely have less time for your spouse or partner. This can lead to tension and arguments. A balanced life allows you to spend time with your loved ones and maintain healthy relationships.

4. Relationship With Children

If you’re always working, you’ll likely have less time for your children. This can lead them to feeling neglected and unsupported. A balanced life allows you to spend time with your children and ensure that they feel loved and cared for.

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5. More Productivity

When you’re always working, you can’t be productive all the time. Taking breaks allows you to rejuvenate and come back to work with fresh ideas. A balanced life ensures that you have time for both work and relaxation, which leads to increased productivity.

6. Increased Focus

Similarly, when you’re always working, you can’t focus all the time. Taking breaks allows you to focus on your work and get more done. A balanced life ensures that you have time for both work and relaxation, which leads to increased focus.

7. More Job Satisfaction

When you’re always working, you can’t be satisfied with your job all the time. Taking breaks allows you to come back to work refreshed and with a new perspective. A balanced life ensures that you have time for both work and relaxation, which leads to increased job satisfaction (3).

8. Greater Opportunities For Growth

When you’re always working, you can’t take on new opportunities. A balanced life allows you to explore new opportunities and grow as a person.

How Can You Achieve Work Life Balance?

Now that we’ve seen the importance of work-life balance, let’s take a look at how you can achieve it. Here are a few tips:

Set Boundaries

One of the best ways to achieve work-life balance is to set boundaries. This means that you should designate specific times for work and relaxation, and stick to them.

Have Priorities

You can’t do everything at once. When you’re trying to achieve a work-life balance, you need to prioritize. This means that you should identify the things that are most important to you and focus on them.

Delegate

If you’re always working, you can’t do everything yourself. Delegating tasks to others will free up some of your time. Identify the tasks that can be delegated and assign them to others.

Don’t Seek Perfection

Perfectionism can be detrimental to work-life balance. When you’re always working, you’ll never be satisfied because you’ll always be looking for perfection. Don’t strive for perfectionism but instead accept that you’ll make mistakes. Allow a margin for error.

Unplug

Technology can be detrimental to work-life balance. When you’re always working, you’re likely to be plugged into technology. This means that you’re always available for work and you never really get a break. Unplug from technology from time to time and enjoy some peace and quiet.

During this time, it’s important to take care of yourself both physically and emotionally. Do something you love, relax, and recharge. You’ll be able to come back to work with a fresh perspective and increased productivity.

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Think Of Work As A Team Effort Rather Than A Solo Effort

Sometimes it feels as though you’re the only one who can do the job. This can lead to a lot of stress and pressure. Remember that work is a team effort. There are others who can help you out, so don’t be afraid to delegate or ask for help.

Find Something Rewarding About Your Job

When you’re always working, it’s easy to get burnt out. However, if you can find something rewarding about your job, it’ll be easier to maintain a work-life balance. Find the positive aspects of your job and focus on them.

Don’t Be Afraid To Say No

Taking on too many responsibilities can lead to a lack of work-life balance. Don’t be afraid to say no when you’re asked to do too much. This will help you preserve your time and energy for the things that are important to you.

Prioritize Self Care

Self care is not selfish. In fact, it’s essential for work-life balance (1). When you’re taking care of yourself, you’re able to take on more responsibilities and be more productive. Make time to take care of both your physical and emotional needs. 

Here are some self-care tips that may come in handy:

  • Get enough sleep, at least 7-8 hours.
  • Eat healthy foods such as whole grains, lean meats, fruits, and vegetables
  • Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes for 3 to 4 days a week.
  • Take breaks during the day to stretch and relax your muscles
  • Spend time with loved ones often
  • Relax and enjoy your free time doing a hobby or learning a new craft.

Set Goals

When you have goals, you’re more likely to be successful. When it comes to work-life balance, setting goals will help you stay focused and motivated. 

What are your goals for work-life balance? What do you want to achieve? Write them down and keep them in a visible spot. Revisit them often to stay on track.

SMART goals are a great way to set goals for work-life balance. They’re Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. 

Here’s an example of a SMART goal: 

I will write two reports each week during my lunch break so that I can have more time for family and personal activities.

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What Are Some Good Reasons To Take A Day Off?

An important aspect of work-life balance is taking a break when you need it. To help you out, here are some valid reasons to call out of work and spend the day taking care of your needs:

You’re Feeling Overwhelmed

Sometimes, work and life pressures can drive you to your breaking point. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s best to take a day off to relax and recharge. This will help you return to work with a fresh perspective.

You Feel Burnt Out

No matter how much you love your job, burnout is inevitable. When you’re feeling burnt out, it’s best to take a break to relax and rejuvenate. 

Some symptoms of burnout include (5):

  • Lack of energy or motivation
  • Excessive stress
  • Feeling overwhelmed or underutilized
  • Inability to concentrate

Ignoring burnout can lead to (4):

  • Chronic stress
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Health problems

So it’s best to take a break before it gets to that point.

You Feel Disconnected From Your Family And Friends

It’s important to have a support system outside of work. When you’re feeling disconnected from your family and friends, take a few days off and focus on rebuilding those relationships. This will help you feel more connected and supported.

You’re Struggling With Personal Issues

Personal issues can affect your work-life balance. Anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues can make it difficult to focus on work. When you’re struggling with personal issues, take a day off to seek help and recharge.

You Have An Illness Or Injury

If you’re feeling ill or injured, taking a day off to rest is the best option. This will help you recover faster and prevent your illness or injury from getting worse.

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You’re Pregnant

When you’re pregnant, it’s important to take care of yourself and your baby (6). This means taking a few days off to rest and relax when you need to. You can use this time to do things such as grocery shop, catch up on sleep, and take walks.

You’re Taking Care Of A Sick Family Member

When you’re taking care of a sick family member, it’s important to take some time off to focus on them. This means catching up on sleep, taking care of errands, and providing emotional support.

Your Kids Are Home From School

When your kids are home from school, it’s a good opportunity to take a day off and spend time with them. You can do things such as go on walks, play games, and read books.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to work-life balance, it’s important to remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for someone else may not work for you. You need to find what works best for you and stick to it. These ten tips are a great place to start but don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works for you.

DISCLAIMER:

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!

SOURCES:

  1. Self-care, resilience, and work-life balance (2017, psycnet.apa.org)
  2. The Effect of Long Working Hours and Overtime on Occupational Health: A Meta-Analysis of Evidence from 1998 to 2018 (2019, mdpi.com)
  3. The Impact of Work-Life Balance on Job Satisfaction: With Special Reference to ABC Private Limited in Sri Lanka (2019, researchgate.net)
  4. The Relationship Between Burnout, Depression, and Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2019, frontiersin.org)
  5. Understanding the burnout experience: recent research and its implications for psychiatry (2016, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  6. What is prenatal care and why is it important? | NICHD – Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (2017, nichd.nih.gov)
  7. Work–Life Balance: Weighing the Importance of Work–Family and Work–Health Balance (2020, mdpi.com)
  8. “The Importance of Work-Life-Balance” (2013, iosrjournals.org)
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