"Work-Life Balance Is a Cycle, Not an Achievement" - by Loana Lupu and Mayra Ruiz-Castro
What is work-life balance?
Work-life balance refers to an individual's level of prioritization of personal and professional activities in their life, as well as the extent to which activities related to their job are present in the home, to maintain a state of equilibrium between the demands of one's career and the demands of one's personal life. It is more about having the flexibility to get things done in your professional life while still having time and energy to enjoy your personal life than it is about splitting the hours in your day evenly between work and personal life.
Why is it important?
A healthy work-life balance offers various advantages, including less stress, a lower chance of burnout, and a stronger sense of well-being. Employers gain from this as well as employees. Employers who provide telecommuting or flexible work schedules might assist employees in achieving a better work-life balance.
According to Maslow, humans have needs that must be addressed for them to function well. Basic physiological needs, such as food, drink, and shelter, must be met before anything else can be addressed. Following that, individuals need to feel protected, loved, and a part of something. They then move on to self-esteem, cognitive needs, and aesthetic wants, and eventually, at the summit of the pyramid, there is self-actualization, or reaching your entire human potential. This implies that employment meets fundamental needs: money produced provides food and housing, and a steady income gives security. Work also helps people to feel like they are part of a group, and performing well at work promotes self-esteem. The lowest levels are mostly supplied by characteristics of work.
What leads to an unhealthy work-life balance?
Personal Factors
Lower socioeconomic strata generally have a poor work-life balance. People who have low self-esteem, poor social skills, or are depressed have a similar imbalance.
Organizational Factors
Work-life balance is hampered by organizational variables such as strict regulations, an excessive workload, a hostile work environment, time constraints, and a lack of job security.
Social Factors
Work-life balance can be hampered by societal reasons such as discriminatory workplace rules, unsupportive families, cultural stigma, patriarchal ideals, and other social concerns.
Ways to create a better work-life balance, as well as how to be a supportive manager.
Accept that there is no 'perfect' work-life balance.
When you hear the phrase "work-life balance," you envision having a very productive day at work and then departing early to spend the rest of the day with friends and family. While this is the ideal situation, it is not always attainable. Strive for a realistic schedule rather than a flawless one.
Set goals and priorities (and stick to them).
Set realistic goals by using time-management tactics, assessing your to-do list, and eliminating chores with little to no value.
Prioritize your health.
Prioritizing your health over everything else will make you a better employee and person. Your primary focus should be on your total physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. If you suffer from anxiety or depression and believe that counseling might be beneficial to you, be available for it, even if it means leaving work early or skipping your nightly spin class. Methods such as yoga and meditation on a regular basis also help in relieving work-related stress.
Find a job that you love.
Simply said, if you despise your job, you will not be happy. You do not have to enjoy every element of your career, but it should be stimulating enough that you do not dread getting out of bed in the morning.
Set boundaries and work hours.
To avoid burnout, set boundaries for yourself and your colleagues. Avoid thinking about impending projects or responding to work emails as you leave the office.
Do not be afraid to unplug.
Breaking links with the outer world enables us to recover from weekly stress and creates space for new thoughts and ideas to develop. Unplugging may be as easy as practicing transit meditation instead of reading business emails during your daily commute.
Be available for yourself and your loved ones.
While your job is vital, it should not take up all your time. You were a person before assuming this role, and you should emphasize the interests or hobbies that bring you joy.
Take a vacation.
Sometimes, fully disconnecting entails taking a vacation and turning off all work for a period of time. Whether it is a two-week trip or one-day staycation, it is critical to take time off to recover physically and psychologically.
Conclusion
The optimum work-life balance is debatable. Work-life balance is a hot topic these days, thanks to advances in technology that have reduced the necessity of physical location in defining work-life balance. Previously, it was difficult or impossible to bring work home, thus there was a clear distinction between professional and personal life. The question of who is responsible for ensuring employees have a decent work-life balance is central to the work-life balance debate. As the famous saying goes on, ‘Do not get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life’.
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