13/08/2018
More people are discussing the need for a healthy work-life balance because it can help to promote a healthier lifestyle. But what does a work-life balance actually mean?
The term work-life balance means having a healthy balance between the hours in which you work and the hours in which you have time for yourself. Dedicating all your waking hours working has become quite a norm for people, because the digital era has made it much easier to access your emails when you aren’t at work.
Health professionals are stressing more and more that spending a fair amount of time outside of work to enjoy hobbies, or spending time with your family and friends is just as important as working, if not more so – especially for your mental health.
A Mental Health Foundation survey found that ‘one third of respondents feel unhappy or very unhappy about the time they devote to work’ and that ‘when working long hours more than a quarter of employees feel depressed (27%), one third feel anxious (34%), and more than half feel irritable (58%).’
How can I promote a work-life balance in my life?
There are a number of things that you can do to make sure you are implementing a healthy work-life balance in your everyday life, such as:
At work
- Take appropriate breaks that will help you feel more refreshed. Especially take a lunch break and try to get out of the office, if there’s a park close by why not eat lunch in the park?
- Work more productively in a specific timeframe. Set yourself a goal: ‘I will complete this piece of work within 2 hours’. Working smarter instead of longer can really help you become more productive and will cause less stress.
- At the end of the day, close everything down and leave your work in the office – being able to leave your work behind will help signify that the working day is over and that now you can enjoy your own time.
Outside of your workplace
- Spend time unwinding, whether you wish to indulge in your hobbies, take part in volunteering work, or spend time with your family and friends.
- Doing exercise and meditating activities are good for your mental health, because it can help to relieve stress, and they are also good for your physical health. So go to the gym, go for a run, join a sports team, or just go for a walk!
- Avoid checking anything that is work related; which means don’t read your work emails – just deal with it when you are next at work.
Are you seeking employment? Twin offer a variety of employment programmes, as well as help and support in finding a job that is right for you, check out our Twin Employment and Training website and contact our team today.
