Spencer Schar is an entrepreneur who recognizes all too well the importance of striking a healthy work-life balance in an age where the line between work and homelife is becoming increasingly blurred. This article will explore the issue in more detail, providing pointers to help professionals avoid their working life encroaching into their personal life, reducing the risk of stress and burnout.
A healthy work-life balance is the attainment of a harmonious relationship between an individual’s work and personal lives. To achieve this, they need to manage their time and energy efficiently, enabling them to meet both their personal and professional commitments while simultaneously prioritizing self-care and wellbeing. The attached infographic contains some interesting statistics about the wellness industry in 2024.
Workers need to implement strategies to help them manage their stress levels. This generally entails taking regular breaks, exercising regularly, practicing mindfulness, and unplugging from work-related activities. There does need to be a degree of flexibility, however, enabling them to adapt and adjust their schedule as necessary when unforeseen complications or personal needs arise. However, it is crucial for workers to avoid making themselves available 24/7, as this places them at significant risk of overload.
Striking the right work-life balance involves setting clear boundaries, learning to say no, and speaking up when the need arises. The attached video explores the key differences between assertiveness versus aggression in workplace communication.
For modern workers to avoid their work encroaching on their personal life, they need to learn to work smarter rather than harder. Take for instance the recent trend known as “sleep hacking,” which involves training the body and mind to need less sleep. In his work-life balance blog, US academic Matt Might argues that this trend is wrong, suggesting that those who work more and sleep less focus too much on hours worked rather than what really matters: productivity. The Mental Health Foundation backs up Might’s assertions, advocating working smart rather than long. To achieve this demands tight prioritization, allowing a certain amount of time to complete each task while avoiding becoming embroiled in less productive activities.
Achieving a healthy work-life balance requires an individual to create clear boundaries separating their working day from their personal and family life. In a digitized “always on” age, achieving this is no mean feat, with statistics suggesting that over 60% of US employees agree that their work-life balance is out of kilter, according to analysis by Groupon.
For workers who are able to achieve a healthy work-life balance the benefits are numerous, helping them to avoid becoming overworked and overwhelmed and enabling them to lead happier, healthier lives. The attached PDF explores the impact of mental health issues on workplaces in the United States in more detail.