Work-life balance has been on the news a lot lately. From seminars to free guidance, from discussions in school classrooms to professional opinions at conventions and conferences, the one thing that people have struggled with over the years is achieving the perfect equilibrium in their work life and non-work life. Many keep looking for the perfect environment, the perfect benefits, pay that isn’t subpar, and work that excites them.
The Happiness Meter – Work vs Leisure
Often, you may experience a “pull” when you are working. The pull of not being able to attend that birthday party because of the hours that you put in, the pull of not being able to enjoy those events when you do attend them because of workload hovering over your head like a ghost that won’t let go. Once you feel this pull, the importance of a work-life balance becomes clearer than ever.
In these ever-changing times, we humans look at the work industry and think of it in a way that is different from our previous generations. Gone are the days when the ‘yes boss’ rule was absolute. Now, people are working in tandem with their needs first. Many even seek career counselling online in order to check their own compatibility with the work they want to do.
What is Work–Life Balance?
Work plays a crucial part in all our lives. The earnings that we make ensure that the lights stay on and there is food on the table for everyone. However, with the looming costs of everyday expenses and energy bills, no one is underplaying the importance of earning enough to make a living, which makes achieving a work-life balance even harder.
Work-life balance is the ability to manage your obligations at work and have the time to balance your hobbies and interest to suit your personal time. There is a ratio to this, but the balance varies from person to person. Maintaining this work-life balance is not only important for one’s health, but also for relationships – both in and out of the workplace. In layman’s words, if people don’t treat work as any other chore then they will direct themselves to work harder, increasing their performance. Most people, after opting in for career counselling online, find that their choice of work does not define the amount of work and the way that they are meant to go around it. The harder they work, the fewer chances there are of making mistakes, and more chances of becoming advocates for their brand.
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People who achieve work–life balance:
- Make a bigger impact at work and outside of it without sacrificing their personal happiness
- Are present in the moment and utilise their intellectual resources to the brim.
- Have a positive impact on the lives of their loved ones
- Prioritise what is important to them, and
- Let go of the notion of doing it all.
Businesses that gain a reputation for encouraging work-life balance have become very attractive – especially when you consider how difficult it can be to attract and retain young workers these days. Focusing on work-life balance helps to draw a valuable talent pool for new recruits and boost retention rates. It saves time and money while ensuring in-house talent.
Work-Life Balance 101 – Achieving Perfect Balance, As All Things Should
Now that we’ve established the ins and outs of work-life balance, let’s go through the reasons why work-life balance is important.
1. More Balance, Less Stress
More than 55 percent of Indian employees experience different types of work-related stress every day in the workplace. The problem is people think that they have no choice in the matter, but that is simply not true.
Remember that work-life balance is a result of our own choices. Creating stress for your own self like taking on more responsibilities than you can handle, not delegating work that can be delegated is enough to disturb your own stress levels.
Here are the choices that you can make to relieve work stress and anxiety:
- Delegating as much as can be delegated
- Letting go of non – priorities and choosing the work the priority first.
- Prioritising your own well-being
- Being aware of your own working capacity
- Creating a set time to fix your lapses/remaining work
In the end, what you will be left with is a more manageable workload and decreased stress levels.
2. An Apple a Day Keeps Work Stress Away
Creating the perfect work-life balance includes taking care of your physical health. As hard as it may be to accept, it includes eating healthy and regular meals, regularly exercise, watching over sleeping patterns, and reducing sugar and alcohol intake.
Most professionals are glued to their desks at work and to their couches at the end of the day due to mental exhaustion. The simple truth is that humans aren’t meant to sit around, we are meant to go outdoors, stand and live life! This means that achieving the perfect work-life balance means getting out and getting that work-out in. doing this will help you sleep better, and make you more energetic.
3. The Art of Total Awareness
The inability to present at work or at home is a problem many people face. Their minds are racing all the time, cluttered with frivolous thoughts that occupy their attention at all the wrong times.
The solution to this is mindfulness – creating internal balance and getting attuned to your co-worker’s emotions and feelings. Not only does this help focus on the good around you, but it also makes you better at responding intuitively. Practicing mindfulness for just a little while every day can work wonders in improving personal relationships as well.
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4. I Want to Work!
When employees are happier and feel motivated by their job, they are more likely to increase their performance and in turn, gain more revenue for their industry/company.
A less stressed, healthy employee who feels connected to co-workers is more likely to be motivated to work harder. And that increased motivation means that you’re going to perform at a higher level and be more engaged.
5. Thinking Creatively in the Workplace
Your brain needs space to think. When it is constantly engaged in people, social media, entertainment, phone calls, and texts, there is no space to think and come up with unique ideas.
That being said, again, your brain needs CLEAR SPACE in order to think. 5-minute stress solutions are a great way of creating space to think. For more solutions on clearing stressful environments, check out this career counselling online source!
Next Steps For a Better Work-Life Balance
Now that you understand the importance of work-life balance, it’s time to create a more balanced work-life situation for yourself. We have some good news – it’s not as hard as you think! The key is to create your own custom work-life balance. It all starts with mentality. As long as you are focused and clear about what you want with your work life, the solutions will come on their own to you. Learn to say “no”, and prioritize what’s important and you will create the lifestyle you want.
