Getting the work-life balance right is vital. An out-of-sync work-life balance can lead to burnout, stress, and put a strain on both physical and mental health and personal relationships, which may end up getting neglected. Keeping an eye on this balance is key, as is taking prompt steps to fix it if it’s not as healthy as it should be.
Signs of an Unhealthy Work-Life Balance
There are several tell-tale signs that suggest our work-life balance needs attention. Feeling tired or fatigued all the time is an important clue, as is feeling regularly irritable and the frequent working of overtime. Never taking time off is also a sign that things need rebalancing. Many people who are struggling with their work-life balance find that their work and/or personal space have become messy and disorganized due to overload and never having the time to tidy up. This can lead to a lack of focus and have a detrimental effect on productivity, further exacerbating the feeling of being overburdened.
When one’s work-life balance isn’t healthy, personal relationships can become neglected or strained, as we haven’t got the time or energy to nurture them and spend quality time with those we care about.
Why It Can Be Difficult to Switch Off
It’s not unusual to find it difficult to switch off from work now and again. However, some people find this happening all the time, meaning they continue to work – or think about work – during what should be their “down” time at home, even at night. This can happen for many reasons; the person may simply be extremely passionate about or invested in their work, or believe that external factors (such as their salary or reputation in the workplace) are the key to their personal well-being and happiness.
Fixing an Unhealthy Work-Life Balance
Happily, there are things that can be done to fix an unhealthy work-life balance; this is something that professional motivational speakers and life coaches like Imad El Atiki El Ghennouni Mohammed often help their clients with. Setting clear boundaries with your employer around working hours, turning off email notifications in the evening, and putting your phone on Do Not Disturb are all effective steps to ensuring a good work-life balance. For homeworkers, setting up a designated work space can be an effective means of separating one’s home and work-life. Take a look at the embedded PDF for more information on creating and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.