Get a life: 5 tips for work-life balance Get a life: 5 tips for work-life balance
Alexis Naim
11 Dec 2019
Finding equilibrium in work and personal life is a challenge for most people. In fact, in the OECD study for positive work-life balance in 40 countries, the US ranked 29, the UK 28 and Australia 31. Overall, people in these countries take less time for personal care than the OECD average. This negatively affects well-being and risks burnout.
Creating a balance that is sustainable is an ongoing process. Here are five tips to get you started.
1. Take breaks
As human beings, we are biologically hardwired to have energy levels that wax and wane. Some weeks we may be more productive than others simply because we have systems that, unlike machines, are malleable and individual. When experiencing a period of less productivity, it is necessary to take breaks to let your system reboot instead of pushing it toward burn out. This could be as simple as a 5-10 minute walk, or even a day off to catch up on the life admin and unfinished tasks piling up at home.
If you are really struggling, see whether your employer offers flexible working options or mental health days. Taking a break to clear your mind resets perspective so you return fresh and productive.
2. It’s okay to rest
Schedule time on your calendar to do nothing. This could mean an evening with no plans, an extra hour in the morning, or a full weekend. Sit down and work out what activity you can afford not to do that day: how urgent is pricing a new TV or steaming the carpet, and could it wait a few days?
When overworked, it is easy to slip into overdrive and push yourself further when really what is most needed is rest. Having unplanned and unstructured time, even if it is a short period, helps awaken creativity and settles a stressed-out system.
Rest. Breathe. Meditate.
3. Unplug
Let's face it, most of us never truly switch off from work. Unplugging your devices creates a healthy boundary between work and home life. If the first thing you do after waking up in the morning is to check your email, it’s a sign to create a healthier boundary with your devices.
A helpful way to implement unplugging is to have all family members turn off phones during meals. If you make it a household rule, it will be easier to practice. Try and leave your work at work.
4. Set boundaries
Finding this balance can be more challenging if you work from home because everything is all mixed up in one place. If you struggle with work-life balance, you should probably set yourself stricter boundaries and practice ‘work hygiene’.
Set regular start and finish times for your working day so it doesn’t bleed out into the rest of your time. Make it 9-5, or 11-7, whatever works for you, but make a plan and teach yourself to stick to it. Set aside a specific workspace for yourself. If you don’t have a separate study and can’t get to a library, just make a designated office, even if it’s one side of the kitchen table. At the end of the day pack it up and put it away – let your home be a home again.
5. Be gentle
Overworking to the point of imbalance generally comes from a mindset of inadequacy; feeling overwhelmed and helpless can contribute to this as well. In those moments it feels counterintuitive to step back because the tendency is to push yourself harder. In those moments, take a pause, a deep breath, and remind yourself that acceptance is necessary for a healthy life. Letting go of perfectionism is a healthy decision toward a more balanced life.
