Work-Life Balance Strategies -
Structuring your day can increase productivity at work, which can result in more free time to relax outside of work. Those who do maintain a successful balance between their professional and personal lives often point to their flexible work arrangements.
Recent research found that over the past several years, many employers have allowed workers greater flexibility both with their schedule and where they work, a trend that has increased following the COVID pandemic.
Flexibility can pay off for employers in the long run. The key is finding a flexible arrangement that works for your own individual needs. A FlexJobs study found that 87 percent of employees said that being given the option of working from home positively affected their work-life balance.
Beyond working remotely, other options such as flex time, mental health days , reduced hours or a compressed work schedule might be appropriate.
Figure out what will best help and communicate your needs to your employer. If you want better work-life balance, you need flexibility in your job. Not sure where to start? Read our guide to the 20 best jobs for flexibility. The goal of a healthy work-life balance is to succeed at work and at the same time lead a fulfilling personal life.
If an imbalance exists and too much of your time and energy is devoted to work, it will lead to negative consequences in almost every area of your life. A Mental Health America and FlexJobs study found that 76 percent of people said workplace stress negatively impacts their mental health, leading to challenges like depression and anxiety.
But they found that having flexible work options, an indicator of good work-life balance, results in employees reporting better mental health. Apart from impacting mental health, the stress caused by a work-life imbalance can also lead to a variety of physical health issues.
A CDC report on stress at work notes that demanding jobs can result in a host of problems, such as cardiovascular disease as well as musculoskeletal and psychological disorders. The report also notes that there is some evidence that work-related stress might be a factor in ulcers, cancer and impaired immune function.
A healthy work-life balance not only reduces stress, which can help prevent disease, but it also allows you to prioritize your health by making time to exercise and eat a healthy diet.
A poor work-life balance has serious consequences for your health, but spending too much time and energy on work can actually negatively affect your work performance. On top of that, they are missing around eight days of work a year because of mental health issues.
But, a study in the Kansas Journal of Medicine found that employer efforts to reduce stress and increase employee psychological well-being lead to higher performance.
Working with your employer to find flexible arrangements that allow for a better work-life balance will help make you a more productive and more valuable employee. A Gallup report shows that 77 percent of employees are not engaged at work, leading to high costs for the company and increased stress for employees.
In fact, employee engagement has 3. Finding ways to become more engaged at work can reduce stress and help improve work-life balance. It may seem obvious, but a work-life imbalance will cause problems outside of the workplace.
A recent UKG survey noted that 71 percent of people said that work stress affects their home life and 62 percent said it negatively impacts their relationships.
Finding a positive work-life balance will allow you to spend time with the people you care about. The goal is to be more than just a good employee; it is to be a well-rounded individual with an enriching life in and out of the workplace.
None of us is superhuman, and giving percent at work will result in slip-ups in other areas of our lives. Achieving a healthy work-life balance is key to being a well-rounded individual who thrives at home and in the office.
But that takes work, and the right equilibrium looks different for everyone. It could mean taking a break, arranging a flexible schedule with your employer or finding an entirely new job that fits your needs. Reflect upon what you need to have better work-life balance, then take action to make it happen.
Tom Anziano contributed to this article. However, you can reduce or prevent feelings of burnout by working toward greater balance of your work and personal life responsibilities, so that everything feels more in sync. Poor work-life balance can lead to stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
A balanced lifestyle that allows for adequate rest, relaxation, and time with loved ones can improve overall well-being and reduce the risk of mental and physical health problems. As an employer, encouraging employees to develop a healthy work-life balance can create a happier work environment.
Making time for people and hobbies in your personal life is equally important to juggling responsibilities in your career. The first step toward work-life balance is taking advantage of breaks that are offered to you, such as a lunch break.
If you work from home, consider taking a quick stretch and walking around the block to get some fresh air. You can also take mini breaks at your desk and practice breathing exercises or short meditations.
Having strong time management skills, both at home and in the office, can also improve your work-life balance. To practice this, there are several things you can do:.
According to Jabra's Hybrid Ways of Working Global Report , employees with full autonomy to choose where they work are happier with their jobs. However, working from home can also make it more difficult to draw boundaries between work and personal life.
For example, some people find it difficult to reset their mind and environment since without a commute. A flexible work schedule allows employees the autonomy to create their own schedules to determine a work-life balance that fits the needs of their personal lives.
This could mean starting and ending the workday at earlier or later times or hybrid working, depending on personal preferences. Practicing self-compassion and being kinder to yourself can go a long way when navigating challenges and mistakes. Paid time off exists for a reason.
According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 48 percent of workers fail to use all of their allocated vacation days. Similar to volunteering, donating to a cause you care about can help give you a sense of purpose and boost morale.
When you encourage yourself or your employees to donate and be part of other charitable events, you can further promote a positive work environment, which can lead to a better overall work-life balance.
Volunteering is a great way to make social connections and give back to your community. Doing things for other people makes individuals feel more engaged and joyful, and can even lead to health benefits , such as the following:. To encourage volunteering amongst employees, consider offering a day off or organizing an event for everyone to do it together.
Make it a point to schedule some time to socialize, whether it's with your friends, family, or even colleagues after work. Plus, having healthy social relationships are important for overall mental and physical health , which can translate into the workplace.
As an employer, you have the power to encourage a more balanced and healthy workplace by creating employee health initiatives. For example, consider hosting optional fitness activities, such as the following:. Focusing on these bigger items and crossing them off your list right away can give you a sense of productivity and accomplishment, which can set the tone for the rest of your day.
Be sure to prioritize communicating your boundaries to colleagues and clients in the workplace. Communicating these boundaries can help reduce the need to check on work after hours or on your time off. Additionally, try blocking off time in your calendar to give you space to do some heads-down work.
Not working on your days off is also important. The work will still be there when you return to work. Maintain a consistent schedule to help regulate your day.
Set specific times of the day to eat, work, study, do homework, exercise, sleep, and any other activities you normally did pre-COVID pandemic. I start my day by biking an hour and I take virtual fitness classes.
Adding these classes to my calendar commits me to take them. I also set aside reading time in the evenings. Set aside a regular daily time to do something that keeps you mentally and physically active. Take a virtual fitness class, read a book or work on a crossword puzzle in the evenings, or learn a new hobby.
Whatever the activity is, do it regularly. Remember to stay hydrated. Staying at home during the COVID pandemic can cause unhealthy eating habits. Make smart food choices by writing a list of healthy items to buy.
I am more likely to stick with a list when I write what to buy.
SurveyMonkey is built Work-Life Balance Strategies handle every use case Strategiss need. Explore our Work-Life Balance Strategies to learn Work-Life Balance Strategies SurveyMonkey can work Strategifs you. Get data-driven insights from a global leader in online surveys. Build and customize online forms to collect info and payments. Create better surveys and spot insights quickly with built-in AI. Purpose-built solutions for all of your market research needs. Contact Sales. Are WorkLife vulnerable Glucose management Improved fat utilization potential organizing? Work-Liife our 5-minute Strateies to identify both Work-Life Balance Strategies and external factors that impact unionization — Work-Life Balance Strategies get tips on how to become union-proof. Are your leaders aligned with the company vision? From Implicit Bias to Managing Change, your leaders need training that moves the company forward. How engaged are your employees? This free assessment will guide you to the right strategy to create employee advocates. Management Consulting Services.
0 thoughts on “Work-Life Balance Strategies”