Or do you seem to have so many personal obligations that you cant give 100% at work?
Work plays a major role in our lives.
It takes up much of our waking hours during the traditional workweek.
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Professional fulfillment can be a part of that, for sure.
At a Glance
Work-life balance generally refers to a balance between your personal and work life.
Remember: That “balance” may shift at times and is never really a 50/50 split.
What Do We Mean When We Say “Work-Life Balance”?
Work-life balance is usually defined as an equilibrium between your professional and personal life.
When you keep things balanced, no single element of your life dominates and overwhelms the others.
Researchers suggest that this is because this balance is all about individual perception.
The things that make your own work-life situation feel manageable may differ depending on your needs and your situation.
Major shifts in how we work have also helped change the definition of work-life balance for many people.
Being tethered to an office is a thing of the past for many folks.
Many times people think balance is a 50/50 split but that is not always the case.
For each person, the balance may look different and will shift during different seasons of their life.
Procrastinatingor shirking your responsibilities arent effective ways to cope.
You might feel a little better for a bit, but it ultimately creates more problems in the future.
How Can I Tell If I Have a Healthy Work-Life Balance?
So how exactly can you tell if you have a healthy work-life balance?
“Lack of regular overwhelm and frustration are good signs that one does have good work-life balance.
Its only natural that the demands of your job and outside life shift and change over time.
That means that what you should probably keep the balance will change over time.
To figure out if you have a good work-life balance, think about what’s most important to you.
What helps you to feel your best?
Are you taking care of yourself personally and professionally?
Are you managing your stress and watching for signs of burnout?
Can I Request a Healthier Work-Life Balance (If So, How)?
This includes work-life benefits like hybrid, flexible, or remote work.
There arethings that your employer can doto help foster a better work-life balance.
It’s something that benefits them as well.
A conversation with your employer might help you find ways to work together to make things more manageable.
In many cases, making a change hinges on how you approach your job.
It’s also important to be aware of your legal rights.
This includes protections if you are dealing withdepression,anxiety, or another mental health condition.
Remember to stay professional and show respect for your employer’s needs.
Your health literally depends on it.
Are your work hours too long?
Or are work obligations encroaching on your off-time?
Do you feel like you have no control over your schedule?
Or are you taking on too many demands and need some relief?
The problem is that, over time, there is a distinctlackof balance.
This includes mini-breaks during the work day andperiodic days offor vacations.
“Taking an intentional day off periodically is a great way to improve work-life balance, Sangmeister explains.
She also recommends mini-vacations andtech-free weekends.
Even scheduling a little tech-free time each day can be helpful.
When your workday is over, it needs to be over.
It creates pressure and stress that distracts you from feeling fully relaxed or completely present during non-work hours.
Set boundaries around the hours you work and create no work zones.
That might mean taking time off or switching to a different position.
Sometimes, it might even mean thinking about changing jobs altogether.
Wait until youve had time to consider the problem and your options.
Taking steps to manage your time andboundariesis also essential.
“Schedule, schedule, schedule,” Sangmeister recommends.
“Make these appointments just as important as any work meeting.”
2022;20(1):492. doi:10.3390/ijerph20010492
