Do you sometimes feel like work dominates your life? You don’t have enough time for the people and things that are important to you? You are not alone there. Many people struggle to find a work-life balance. In this article, we’ll discuss work-life balance, why it’s important, and how to achieve it; we’ll also give you some tips on how to manage your time and workload. So read on to find out more!
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Work-life Balance In Stressful Everyday Life
For many employees, work is the priority: after all, a third of the day for many employees is all about work. The focal point of the week is aimed at activities at work. In the process, private life is neglected by some. This can have consequences that cause health problems, among other things.
To prevent this from happening, a balanced lifestyle is recommended. Essential points in life, such as private life and work, have to be reconciled: the balance between work and personal life is also often referred to as work-life balance.
In the following article, you can read what this term is about, what employers and employees can do about it, and what positive effects a break has.
Definition: What Is Work-life Balance?
The definition of work-life balance is obvious and easy to understand: The term is Anglicism from English and consists of two areas: work and private life. It is important to find a good balance between work and everyday life.
In practice, this means:
- professional and financial goals
- Use time management effectively
- Create a collegial environment
The following applies to private life:
- set personal goals
- Don’t neglect your social environment
- pursue hobbies and passions
With the help of these methods, a better working day should be made possible, which makes the employees satisfied and happy.
The Dutch and Italians are pioneers in Europe, as the Better Life Index for 2019 shows. Germany is in the upper midfield and makes it clear that there will be even more positive changes in the coming years.
Work-life Balance When Looking For A Job
For many job seekers, there are criteria when looking for a job that speaks for or against a company. Next to
- a corresponding remuneration,
- nice colleagues
- a fair distribution of work
- and other benefits such as fresh fruit and water
Most applicants look for a new job with balanced working hours.
That Is Why A Job With Enough Compensation Is Attractive
It is not only advisable from the perspective of the employee to pay attention to a balanced working time and private life. Many employers also advertise a good work-life balance that employees find in their companies.
When building a new brand, it is therefore important to take a special look at it. Gradually, the branding establishes itself as a renowned employer that ensures sufficient breaks and an early end of the day. The well-being and health of employees are becoming more and more important. At job fairs, abroad, or educational institutions, the company is increasingly gaining a good reputation when it comes to the fair division of work and private life.
A good work-life balance makes jobs more attractive. Conversely, this means companies must constantly ensure this in order to remain competitive. Applicants expect a high level of willingness from their employer to enable flexible working. Since the coronavirus pandemic, the question of working from home has also come up more and more frequently, so many companies already refer to this work opportunity in their job advertisements. This compatibility is just one of many that the employer is committed to improving work-life balance.
That Is What Makes A Good Work-life Balance
Everyone should know that they have a certain time and energy account each day. In order to use this effectively, good time management is required.
Factors for distributing the work-life balance somewhat are, e.g., B. Priorities: Set priorities to start your day in a structured way. Deviate from this as little as possible, even if important things happen unexpectedly.
Another factor that determines the work-life balance is constant availability: Thanks to technology and modern progress, working hours and private life are mixed up. This must be prevented by making a clear distinction between leisure and work.
Due to earlier retirement, old age, and the low birth rate, there is an increasing shortage of skilled workers. Professionally trained employees often have to replace the missing workers and take over their work.
In addition, there is competition and high demands placed on oneself to achieve a good status in society. This means that more and more overtime is accumulated in order to be able to afford more.
In summary, it can be said that the focus is increasingly on work, which is detrimental to private life and possibly to health.
Why Is A Healthy Work-life Balance So Important?
A good work-life balance is very important for a happy life.
You can read below about the positive effects you can achieve through regular compatibility with your employees and the negative effects of a bad balance.
Benefits Of A Good Work-life Balance
For the employee, a balance between the two areas of life is a good prerequisite for living healthily and happily. The quality of life increases through a balanced working environment. This also influences the family and financial circumstances. Because of this, the employee is more motivated and spurs himself on to achieve his goals.
This, in turn, has an effect on morale because the employee works error-free and with a high level of efficiency. He is more flexible in many things, so he also takes on unpleasant things with pleasure.
In addition, the absenteeism rate of employees decreases if they rate their jobs positively. This saves the company a lot of costs and ensures a healthy working atmosphere.
Possible (Health) Effects Of A Bad Balance
A good work-life balance has many advantages. However, if the balance is not there, it can have serious consequences.
Just ask yourself the question:
On average, how much time do I spend at work, and how much free time do I allow myself?
Because even in the evening, we lag behind our thoughts and think about which appointments are coming up for tomorrow at work. Over time, constant availability, even after work, and constant availability can be very stressful. This builds up an inner pressure to always do a good job. Sometimes it can
- to a drop in performance,
- to constant headaches and body aches
- irritation
- mental problems
- and up to a burnout or heart attack
To lead. Many employees don’t even notice anymore how bad they and their health really are. That is why employers, friends, and family are important contacts who point out the problem. Reach out to others who seem stressed and haven’t found the right balance yet.
In addition to the physical problems that affect health, there are others from the social environment: those who attach too much importance to their jobs and neglect social contacts.
- Friends,
- Family members,
- Sports friends,
- Neighbours
You hardly ever see them. Social contacts are advisable in order to avoid mental illnesses and to improve health.
You Can Do This In Everyday Work To Achieve A Good Balance
The goal of a good work-life balance sounds so simple at first, but in practice, it looks different. Once a rhythm has crept in, it’s time to introduce new habits.
Restrict Availability To Working Hours
Through technical aids such as
- phone and cell phone,
- E-mail,
- Internet
We are constantly distracted. Make sure that you avoid permanent availability as soon as it goes into the end of the working day.
Say “no” Sometimes
It can be difficult to say “no” when asked to take on additional responsibilities at work, especially when we feel we have enough to do. However, it is important to remember that we cannot draw from an empty cup. Overwork and burnout are real risks that can have serious negative consequences for our health and well-being. Learning to say “no” without feeling guilty is an essential step towards achieving a healthy work-life balance. By setting boundaries and putting our needs first, we can make space for the things that matter to us.
Dare To Delegate Tasks
In every job, there will always be tasks that are less important than others. In order to be efficient and not get bogged down, you have to learn to delegate. This means that you hand over less important tasks to other people and concentrate on the essentials. Of course, it is also important to choose the right people to delegate to. They should be people who are reliable and who you can trust to do a good job. Delegating to the wrong people can mean more work for you in the long run. But learning how to delegate effectively can be a huge time-saver.
Also, Take Private Appointments Seriously
There’s always a temptation to skip personal appointments in favour of rest or work, but it’s important to maintain a healthy balance between the two. Friends and family may understand that occasional appointments have to be postponed due to work commitments. However, it can create tension in personal relationships when personal appointments are constantly deferred. Therefore, it is best to take personal positions as seriously as work appointments. This is the only way you can maintain a social life alongside your working life in the long term.
What Can Employers Do To Ensure A Good Work-life Balance?
Anyone who has reached their limits with their measures to improve their work-life balance can also consider bringing their employer on board.
With such or similar measures, an employer can contribute to a healthy balance between work and private life of the employees:
- Organization of childcare
- Offer of home office, employment, and other flexible working time models
- the occasional organization of a company outing,
- Openness to a sabbatical for individual employees
- sporting offers,
- Furnishing of restrooms
- Provision of fresh fruit and water
- Do not suggest that you expect your employees to be available at all times
What If You Don’t Achieve A Good Work-life Balance In Your Job?
A balanced work and personal life and a sense of satisfaction result from loving your job. Finding a job you’re passionate about is important to achieving a healthy work-life balance. If you fear your work, you probably won’t be able to develop a sense of satisfaction. It’s important to spend time finding the perfect job for you rather than settling for work you don’t enjoy. In this extreme case, you should consider tackling a professional reorientation and, after a detailed analysis of your priorities and requirements for a new job, choose an activity that suits you better.
Conclusion: Good Prospects For A Good Work-life Balance
Work-life balance is a hot topic in the workplace, and with good reason. Employees who feel unable to balance their work and personal lives are more likely to be job-dissatisfied, less productive, and have higher absenteeism rates. In extreme cases, an unbalanced relationship between professional activity and free time does not even have an impact on physical well-being.
However, a good work-life balance is good for the employees and the company. Studies have shown that employees who have a good work-life balance are more productive and have less absenteeism.
So it’s in everyone’s interest to find ways to create a better work-life balance. Talk to your manager about what you can do to achieve a better work-life balance for yourself and your company so that you can concentrate equally well on your job and private life!
Also Read: Tips On Body Language In Employee Interviews
