National Work Life Week 2023 takes place from the 2 nd to the 6 th October and is an annual campaign to get both employers and employees talking about wellbeing at work and work-life balance. Employers can use the week to provide activities for staff, and to showcase their flexible working policies and practices.
Here are some reasons why achieving a balance between work and life may benefit your health, mindset, and mood.
Maintaining mental health
Individuals who attempt to maintain their mental health may find it easier to manage negative emotions, thoughts, or experiences. Being able to process negativity is important because it can affect your ability to make informed decisions with a clear mindset. For some people, processing emotions may improve their chances of discovering which work-life factors contribute to feelings of stress or unhappiness, making them easier to eliminate.
Improving physical health
Maintaining your physical health can help ensure you have enough energy to complete professional and personal tasks efficiently. Eating nutritious meals, forming healthy sleep habits, getting regular exercise, and doing activities you enjoy can all help you achieve a good balance. These examples can provide your body with the support and energy to help you focus on work longer and deal with negative emotions and situations more effectively.
Minimizing work-related stress
Work-related stress can sometimes occur when employees feel overwhelmed by their workload and responsibilities. Having some control over these factors can help you achieve a satisfactory personal and professional balance. Some choices that you can make in the workplace to minimise stress include delegating tasks when possible and declining to take on more work than you can reasonably
handle. You can learn how to manage your workload more effectively by prioritising the most important or time-sensitive tasks.
Another potential method for managing workloads is to consider your current mental state and physical well-being. For example, suppose you’re faced with additional work or responsibilities before leaving the office. You can save those extra tasks for the following day so that you can go home, get enough sleep, and come back refreshed in the morning.
Being more present in the moment
Being present in the moment means being mindful of what you're doing currently. Mindfulness is one way to achieve a professional and personal balance because it helps you focus on the task at hand. For instance, you may choose to focus on your hobbies when not at work and block out work- related distractions, such as e-mails or office messaging platforms. Being able to focus on professional or personal activities can help you more thoroughly enjoy how you’re spending your time.
Achieving a balanced lifestyle can positively impact your personal relationships as well. For example, individuals who work long hours might struggle to give their undivided attention to friends and family. This can also apply to your work relationships. Holding conversations with coworkers about their personal affairs can improve your mood and motivate you to complete tasks more effectively.
Increasing productivity and engagement at work
A balance between work and personal life can be easier to maintain if you enjoy the work you’re performing. When employees experience high levels of job satisfaction, they may feel more committed to their tasks and inspired to submit their best work. Feeling engaged at work can help create a more efficient approach to task and workload management, which gives you the ability to focus on your personal business outside of work.
Becoming a well-rounded individual
Most employees have interests and hobbies that they enjoy in their personal lives, but they can lose them if they dedicate more time and energy to work than to personal business. Spending time on interests and hobbies can help you develop a wider range of skills and expand your knowledge. Prioritising leisure activities outside of work can also provide employees with unique knowledge that they can share with colleagues.
Becoming more successful
There’s often a misconception that success requires extreme dedication to hard work. This can be important if you’re looking to grow within your workplace, but achieving a work-life balance can allow you to focus on success without sacrificing your well-being. A balanced lifestyle can also boost employee productivity and engagement and support creative thinking. These skills can improve your chances of achieving success without having to overwork yourself.
For more information and tips on how to have a good work/life balance, visit: https://bit.ly/44Ynvhv