Threats to a Good Work-Life Balance 

Most UK workers want to succeed at all costs and will work longer hours to ensure that they don’t lose their job. According to a Harvard Business School survey, 94% of people work more than 50 hours per week, with half claiming that they work over 65 hours per week in a 40-hour week. The workday has become increasingly never-ending, and even those who love their job are experiencing burnout at an alarming rate. Overdoing it at work leads to high levels of stress and it’s clear that a person’s relationships, health and happiness suffer as a result.

If you don’t want to lose out on important life moments, read our advice for maintaining a healthy work-life balance below. 

How to Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance 

It’s important to note that a healthy work-life balance for one person isn’t necessarily the perfect split for another. A person’s work-life balance depends on what they value most and where they want to spend their time outside of work. Keeping that in mind, here is our advice on how to maintain a healthy work-life balance:

Remind Yourself That You Can’t Be Perfect

Perfection simply doesn’t exist. Overachievers tend to strive for perfection and feel like a failure when they don’t accomplish every task they’re given at home or work. It’s impossible to be perfect in every area of your life and thrive at everything that you do. Avoid trying to be perfect at home and work because perfection always has and always will be unattainable. Strive for excellence and end each day knowing that you performed at your best. Trust us, that’s more than enough.

Take Time to Disconnect 

Did you know that people tend to check their email every six minutes? Business professionals feel the need to check their email around the clock and be available to their clients 24/7, which leads to burnout and feeling overwhelmed “off the clock.” We recommend turning your notifications off once you leave the office and checking your email at a designated time once you arrive home. Avoid sending emails over the weekend, so you can focus on spending quality time with the people you love.

Prioritise Self-Care 

Exercise is crucial to your mental and physical health. Whether you choose to run, swim, jog or bike, your body will release endorphins that make you feel happy and relieve stress. If you want to improve your mind, take up yoga and focus on meditating to relieve any pent up tension or anxiety. Exercising for just 30 minutes a day will make you feel healthier and happier!

Determine What Matters to You Most

Life is too short to not do what makes you happy. Stop saying yes to people or events that only lead to aggravation and stress. Decide who and what matters to you most and make time for them during the week. Have the courage to put you and your happiness first above all else.

Keep Work and Home Life Separate

When you’re home, you’re home and when you’re at work, you’re at work. Try to leave work or home worries at the door when you walk in, so you can fully focus on what needs to be done during the day. When you’re at work, strive for excellence and give everything you have to the job. When you’re at home, relax and unwind without worrying about what needs to be done in the morning. You don’t want to miss meaningful moments because your mind was somewhere else. 

Learn When to Say NO

You can’t do it all and shoulder more work than you can carry. The workday is only so long, so value and protect your time. Say no to additional tasks that you can’t fit into your calendar to avoid becoming rundown, stressed and unhappy. There is no reason to feel guilty for saying no when you already have too much on your plate as it is.

There you have it! A good work-life balance is possible when you put your mind to it. Start making little changes at home and work, and we’re confident that you’ll see a difference in your overall health, happiness and relationships. 

For more job and career advice, click here. At Recruit Mint, we’re dedicated to improving people’s lives. Whether you’re a job seeker or an employer, partner with us today. We’ll show why we’re Peterborough’s most-trusted recruitment firm!