Work-life Balance

According to one study, 77% of employees have experienced burnout at least once in their present jobs. One of the biggest challenges to our society's mental health is the pressure of an increasingly demanding work culture. Employers have unrealistic expectations of their workers, putting them under more pressure to deliver better results. As a result, employees work longer hours and spend less time at home. Many home-based traders also struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance, because their lines are even more blurred between work and personal life. 

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The Importance Of Work-life Balance

An employee with a healthy work-life balance is likely to be more productive, creative and make fewer make mistakes as compared to someone who is just working 24/7. Our brain needs space to think, that’s why people who have a healthy work-life balance are more creative because they have more time to think. Too much work can lead to stress and prolonged high levels of stress can lead to other mental health problems, like depression and burnout. Rest and, in particular, the flexibility to detach from work, are well-documented approaches for lowering stress.

Apart from affecting your mental health, poor work-life balance can also leave its marks on your physical health. It can make things much worse for your body because you won’t be able to focus on your body’s needs (like proper sleep, regular exercise, a healthy diet etc). 


So, a healthy work-life balance offers numerous advantages, including less stress, reduced chance of burnout, and an enhanced feeling of well-being.


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How To Achieve Work-life Balance?

Now that we know why work-life balance is important, let’s explore how to achieve work-life balance:

Time off

Vacations are a necessity because they are an opportunity to recharge and recuperate. Some people think of vacations as a form of luxury, which is not true, they are essential for you to regain your focus, improve productivity and increase motivation when you return to your office. 


Studies show that Chronic stress caused by the pressure of overworking makes it difficult to complete certain tasks and cause memory issues. Taking time off can help you improve your mental health and cognition by acting as a brain tune-up.

Take breaks

If you can’t take time off then it’s vital for you to take short breaks throughout the day (if you really care about your well-being). We humans are not designed to work 24/7 like a robot. Our body has needs, and it’s important to fulfil these needs. 


Now listen to me carefully, I’m not saying that during these short breaks you just sit there idly like a lazy turtle. In this time, do something productive and stimulating, i.e. some light exercise or you can play some physical game with your co-workers. That’s how you can spend your time productively while also taking some time off that bright screen.

Make health a priority

In order to meet their boss’s expectations, employees set their focus on only one thing and that is work, while completely neglecting their own health. By doing so they completely forget one thing and that is:

Health is a blessing that money can’t buy. 

Your primary concern should be your overall physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. If you're on the verge of burnout, don't be scared to call in sick on rough days. Overworking yourself stops you from improving, which may lead to you taking more vacation days in the future. And by prioritizing your health I do not mean that you do some radical or extreme activities. It can be as basic as meditating or exercising every day.

Set goals and stick to them

Set goals that are achievable and stick to them. Do not overwork (you can do that by cutting out tasks that have little to no value, by applying certain time-management strategies and by scheduling a to-do list). 


Analyze your daily routine and pay attention to that time when you are most productive. Once you figure that out, schedule that time for your work-related tasks. This way you’ll be working optimally and hopefully finish your tasks way sooner than you would normally do. As a result, you’ll have more time to spend with your loved ones or doing things you enjoy.

Conclusion

Work-life balance is important for every single person. Because a healthy work-life balance ensures emotional, physical and mental well-being and a poor work-life balance mean stress, burnout and in the end depression. By applying the methods mentioned above you can also achieve a healthy work-life balance and live a more fulfilling life.


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