The life of strugglers who aim to achieve financial freedom is always on the roll like a pendulum. Work life balance is the biggest challenge in their lives to maintain consistent mental health.
That is why more than 50 million Americans are facing mental health issues. Anxiety is the most prominent issue most adults are experiencing these days. Heavy workloads, educational commitments, and relationships are key reasons behind it.
Mental health badly impacts the general health and immune system. Which gradually reduces productivity in the workplace and leads to several health disorders.
Considering the facts and challenges based on personal experience, I will share some work life balance problems, solutions, and tips in this article. So keep reading!
A super stressed and unbalanced lifestyle is harmful to personal and professional relationships. Which affects concentration and you can’t completely focus on important things.
High blood pressure, heart attacks, bipolar and eating disorders are common issues linked to chronic stress. You can’t compare the productivity of 7 days a week in anxiety with 4 stress-free days.
What Is Work Life Balance?
“Work life balance is a harmonious relationship between the hustle you need to go for a living and the actual living. It depends upon individual capacity and how much load one can bear.”
Some people get frustrated with 6 hours a day of work out of 5 in a week. On the other hand, many entrepreneurs feel comfortable working 8-10 hours a day and maintain a similar productivity level even on the weekends.
However, you have to draw a line between work and life commitments. Social and parental life is equally important while transforming a startup into a unicorn.
Also Read: 6 Ways To Make Extra Money From Home
Work Life Balance Meaning
The definition of work-life balance is based on the equal significance of career and personal life. Some people forget about their family and social life while pursuing their dreams. That creates a lot of psychological and mental problems over time.
Simply, you have to set boundaries between your work and life. People with poor time management skills badly fail to accomplish this challenge. The consequences of such failure lead to stress, anxiety, insomnia, and many other health issues.
Work Life Balance Experience
As a digital nomad, I have personally experienced the challenging journey of work life balance. Initially, it was hard to figure out its practical existence. I have faced the worst consequences of a bad work life balance twice in the last five years professional journey.
Here are some of my personal observations:
- Overburdening led me to severe mental illness.
- Long working hours made me exhausted most of the time.
- Faced sleep disorders due to poor time management.
- Lost valuable freelance clients due to procrastination.
- Gained 55 lbs weight in a couple of years with minimum physical activities.
Once I realized the importance of this phenomenon, decided to reorganize myself. Created a strict schedule for work days and reduced commitments on weekends to a minimum. It is a consistent fight you have to go through to keep yourself in good shape.
Importance of Work Life Balance
Self-care and mental health of employees are the most common administrative challenges for organizations. The poor work life balance badly impacts productivity and increases anxiety among employees.
Employees prefer a workplace where they don’t feel overused and their personal life is given equal importance. Those companies that give better work life balance have better employee retention rates as compared to others.
Work-life balance is important for both physical and mental wellness. It also prevents burnout feelings and negative attitudes that can be disastrous for productivity.
Work Life Balance Problems and Solutions
This initiative needs to be taken by both employers and employees. Here I have tried to uncover both problems and solutions of work life balance.
Common Work Life Balance Problems
From modern-day connectivity to unbearable workloads, there are several reasons for poor work life balance. Here are some prominent factors:
Traditional Company Cultures
The traditional overwork culture is one of the poor work life balance reasons. Companies following this mindset still exist and treat their employees like mules. They expect long and additional working hours from their individuals.
Such thoughts are no longer sustainable especially when employees have got so many options to switch. Well-defined and stress-free company culture is important to retain quality talent.
Ineffective Time Management
The organization and balance of priorities require sufficient time management skills. Those who lack in this are unable to maintain the work life balance. When you spend valuable time on less important tasks it leads to so many troubles.
Work Overload
This happens in organizations having understaffing and unrealistic commitments. Long working hours also cause burnout and destroy personal life.
Consistent connectivity with the workplace and enhanced responsibilities also create trouble in work life balance. Employees are kept on their toes even after working hours which is harmful for their mental health.
Inflexibility of Workplace
In the current HR challenges, the inflexibility of the workplace is one of the biggest reasons for quitting jobs. Employees wish to be treated as human beings with work from home alternatives.
Companies sticking to traditional office-based conditions are unable to offer a flexible workplace. So the demand for hybrid and remote jobs is increasing with time.
Work-Life Balance Solutions
Multiple solutions can be taken into consideration for maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Here are some examples:
Volunteer for a Cause
Becoming a volunteer for a noble cause can be a reasonable prospect for work life balance. It gives you inner peace and joy to serve the community. Studies and researchers reveal that people engaged in social and volunteer work have relatively longer life spans.
Non-profit organizations always look for volunteers who are mentally ready for that cause. Such activities increase the amount of endorphins and carry several health benefits.
Seek Mentorship
A coach or mentor can help in improving work life balance. Their advice is mostly based on personal experiences and knowledge. They also recommend self-help books and practices that are useful in maintaining the balance.
Get a Pet
Pet animals especially cats and dogs are considered good way for personal wellness. You can spend time, play, and earn joyful moments with them. Their interaction reduces blood pressure and calms the mind.
Plan Vacations to Your Favourite Places
Vacation planning along with family or even alone is a considerable subject for work life balance. It can be either within the country or in foreign locations on your bucket list. Unplug yourself from a rough routine and activities to refill your mind with fresh ideas.
What is Burnout?
“Burnout is a mental and physical condition when you feel exhausted. The interest in the work is lost and emotional drainage happens. It may lead to several other health disorders like headaches, stomach pain, and sleeplessness.“
Benefits of Work Life Balance
Your personal well-being is an important aspect of a happy life. There are several benefits of work life balance and I have discussed some of them below:
Personal Growth and Achievement
Work is important to some extent but it shouldn’t take over your hobbies, passion, and family life. A good balance of everything leads towards personal growth and achievement.
Better Mental Health
As I practically experienced the severity of a bad work life balance, a better one brings mental peace. It gives chance to recharge your mind with new reflections.
Enhanced Work Performance
As per researchers, overwork or long working hours reduce efficiency. The productivity graph also goes up with a fresh mind and energy. So good work life balance enhances the overall performance of employees and produces quality work.
Significant Physical Health
A well-balanced lifestyle boosts the immune system and minimizes the risk of chronic diseases. Healthy meals, better sleep, and regular physical exercises help in maintaining good physical shape.
Stronger Relationships
When you spend quality time with family, friends, and relatives it makes the connections more stronger. Which results in good relationships and a supportive network.
Tips to Maintain Work Life Balance at Work
Flexible Working Hours
Productivity and loyalty of employees are the two biggest challenges of businesses. Organizations that offer flexible working hours yield more productive time.
Get weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly breaks from workplaces. People these days prefer hybrid and remote jobs that allow them to work from home with complete flexibility.
Maximum Accomplishment During Work Time
Procrastination is a universal issue that spoils productivity and concentration. A bigger and more complex project sucks but can be sorted with power hours. Break down your project into different segments and complete the complex ones first.
Take advantage of your working hours and accomplish the assigned tasks with commitment. Delaying work is similar to overburdening yourself which harms mental health.
Mark Daily Milestones
Set clear daily objectives and milestones with a to-do list. Prioritize the important tasks with clear deadlines to sync the workflow. Be realistic in your approach and avoid opening multiple fronts at the same time.
Take Short Breaks During Work
It is natural for humans to get exhausted with one thing and repeated work. So take frequent breaks, stay hydrated, and refresh your mind. Employers offer multiple recreational activities like indoor gyms, sports, and libraries.
Regain the focus and get back to work with more energy after the small coffee breaks. This act is encouraged by most of the companies that prioritize their human resource.
Better Communication and Collaboration
There should be clear communication and collaboration between different team members. Discuss matters with top management to take them into confidence and get their point of view.
Retreat from situations and circumstances that are creating stress. Revisit your strategies to recollect your strengths. Then get back with a refreshed mind and approach.
Self Healing Touch
It is obvious that if you don’t care for yourself, no one else is gonna do it. Give your mind and body a self-healing touch that will restore the energy to overcome challenges.
Consistently practicing self-compassion will lower the risks of depression, burnout, and anxiety. Support yourself in tough times and keep the fighting spirit high.
Also Read: Four Power Hours Rule – How To Use It For Productivity?
Tips to Maintain Work Life Balance at Home
Treat Yourself as a Human
The human body has some limitations and that should not be crossed. Physical activities and exercises reduce stress so hit a gym with consistency.
Strictly avoid any quick solutions like cigarettes and liquor consumption because it will create more trouble for you and add more frustration.
Talk with Family and Friends
People living in loneliness are more exposed to mental disorders. Discussing your matters with family and friends can give relief from unnecessary burdens. Support from them can add more strength to the immune system.
Healthy and Active Lifestyle
Healthy food and exercise reduce the risks of depression, anxiety, and work stress. Researchers say people who are careful in their nutrition and physical health enjoy an active lifestyle.
Do Reasonable Commitments
Everyone has their limits to work and handle life commitments. It is recommended to keep them fair and reasonable. In case of overdoing, it can cross the threshold, destroying the work-life balance.
Unplug Yourself from Hectic Routine
Forget about the office issues when you are at home like the boss’s behavior, team commitments, and work deadlines. Unplug from everything and prioritize mental peace. Give yourself some time on at least a weekly and monthly basis.
Consider Professional Consultation
Considering physical or remote consultation from mental health professionals can pave the way towards a balanced life. Whenever you feel dominated by stress and anxiety this option can be helpful to fix things creating all the mess.
Leisure and Hobbies
Mind relaxation is like a seed of overall well-being. It would help if you spared some time for leisure, hobbies, and outdoor activities. Go for night outs, movies, walking, and different sports.
Personal Care and Socialization
The emergence of technology has confined human beings to the concrete blocks. People waste hours a day scrolling on social media but are not ready to spend some time on personal care. Interact with nearby people and attend social gatherings for better mental health.
Work Life Balance Quotes
“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”
– Albert Einstein
“You’ve got to keep control of your time, and you can’t unless you say no. You can’t let people set your agenda in life.”
– Warren Buffett
“Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.”
– Jim Rohn
“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”
– Stephen Covey
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Quality Work Life Balance?
Quality work life balance means giving equal importance to career, family, social life, and personal well-being. It is a consistent cycle that helps in living a healthful and stress-free lifestyle.
What Are the Five Steps to Achieve Work Life Balance?
Here are 5 steps to achieve work life balance:
1. Set your clear priorities
2. Disconnect to reconnect
3. Practice mindfulness and gratitude
4. Improve your time management skills
5. Communicate and seek help
Wrap Up
Work life balance is a never-ending battle that has a huge impact on our lives. By practicing mindfulness and setting boundaries we can maintain good mental health.
It is not something happening in the blink of an eye but a consistent effort that paves the way towards quality living. This guide has a lot to learn for aspiring entrepreneurs and digital nomads.
