International Week of Happiness at Work is held from September 20 to 25 every year.

Maintaining a positive Work Life Balance is an essential element of a happy and satisfying life. So what is this work-life balance? The work part relates to the amount of time spent at work or carrying out work related activities. The life part includes your social or personal interests, time with family/friends and leisure activities. A good balance doesn’t necessarily mean splitting your time equally between work and home instead its more about making sure that you feel fulfilled in both of these aspects of your life.

So what does a good balance look like? There no set rules here… we are all individuals with different needs so what one person considers their ideal work life balance may not be the same for another person. In addition, we might need a different type of work life balance at different times of our life.

Easier said than done I often hear people say, and yes it can be extremely difficult to get a balance between work and life (for example, where you have a particularly heavy  workload, care responsibilities at home and/or your own personal health challenges).

What happens if we don’t maintain a balance? We can get stressed! A small amount of stress can actually be helpful and can lead to increased alertness, energy and productivity. However if the pressure goes on for too long or becomes greater than your ability to cope then it can become both physically and mentally draining. A long period of excessive or stressful work can lead to burnout (symptoms may include emotional exhaustion, reduced efficiency and lack of sense of achievement).

Here are a few tips which you may find helpful on your personal Work Life Balance journey

  • Take short breaks at work
  • Remember to use any annual leave to which you are entitled (a few days off can help you to feel refreshed)
  • Reduce stress levels for example, through exercise, eating well, supportive friendships or doing more of the things you enjoy
  • Develop healthy end of day/shift habits for example: go for a walk; take a shower/bath; watch a movie or visit friends
  • Speak to family, friends, colleagues or your manager when expectations and demands feel too much

Most of us spend a significant part of our life at work so being aware of our individual work life balance needs is essential to maintaining good physical and mental health.

On a final note, remember to check- in on your colleagues and yourself, to see if any adjustments are required. This can be particularly important where major life events have occurred (health challenges, births, bereavements).  Get to know the signs of what good and poor work life balance looks like for you.

Author : Bev Mottley for Angel Care