You’ve just settled in to relax for an evening of television when you hear a familiar chime. Out of the corner of your eye, you see a dreaded email from work. Do you answer it? It’s your job, yet you’re also off the clock. You feel aggravated at the contact, fearful that you’ll miss something important and frustrated that your personal time is now consumed with thoughts of work. Unfortunately, these scenarios are common when smartphones create the expectation that we’re always available.
Even if you decide not to answer that work email, you’ve still spent time thinking about work. Work is still seeping into your personal life.
Why Does Work-Life Balance Matter?
Healthy work-life balance benefits both employers and employees. Employees who are overworked are more likely to make mistakes due to stress and exhaustion. If you’re an employee who struggles with saying “no” and prioritizing your time off, know that overworking can be detrimental to your health. This ranges from a minor illness like the flu, all the way to strokes or respiratory problems. In fact, a study conducted by University College London (UCL) found that out of 10,000 participants, the ones who habitually worked three or more hours extra had a 60 percent higher risk of heart-related problems. Studies have also found that poor work-life balance can contribute to breakdowns of domestic relationships and friendships.
As a manager, know that evidence shows emphasizing work-life balance will reap positive results in productivity. Your employees are more likely to be engaged, which can improve your bottom line. A global survey from Tower Perrin found that companies with high levels of employee engagement improved 19.2 percent in operating income. Meanwhile, companies with low levels of employee engagement declined 32.7 percent.
How to Achieve Work-Life Balance
Make your workdays as efficient as possible to limit work anxiety off the clock. Start by keeping an organized desk where everything has its place and is in easy access. If you struggle with focus, turn off notifications or put your phone on Do Not Disturb for small spurts. You can even set up timers or app blockers, such as Refocus, Freedom or Session, so you don’t find yourself scrolling during work hours. Allow yourself 30-minute periods of deep, uninterrupted focus, while giving yourself time to take breaks or check emails throughout the day. Breaks are necessary to prevent burnout. Consider putting on a movie soundtrack or deep focus music to train your brain for when it’s time to work versus time to relax.
From there, prioritize the most time-consuming or urgent task you have on your list. It might be tempting to try to check off your smaller tasks first to get those out of the way. However, research shows that one of the best productivity methods is to tackle your biggest challenge right away, especially when you’re at your peak energy level for the day. This way, your afternoon can be spent on smaller projects or anything else you need to wrap up for the day. If you procrastinate on the big project, there’s a chance it could be pushed to the next day, and you might spend your whole evening worrying about it. Or, even worse, you might have to work on it after hours.
Once you’re home, take the time to unplug. Don’t check your work email. Prioritize being present at home. You can use this time to cook a delicious dinner, take a walk, work on something creative, or socialize. Whatever it is, it’s crucial to ensure you’re taking this time for yourself to do something just for you. If you do have a job that requires overtime, try to give yourself this initial break before getting back to it.
The Role of a Supervisor
If you’re a manager, you have a responsibility to watch out for your employees, who may not prioritize work-life balance if they feel it could affect job security. Let employees know they’re not expected to be available 24/7 and what the expectations actually are. Encourage them not to answer emails after a certain time or to take work email off their phone. Check in on employees who seem to never take PTO or who work overtime often. Let them know you value their well-being and emphasize the importance of taking time off.
As a supervisor, you can promote work-life balance with the following:
- Offer flexible work arrangements
- Set up social groups or events
- Encourage breaks and time off
- Provide employee support services
- Model work-life balance yourself
Promoting work-life balance benefits everyone. Create a culture that values your employees’ well-being and you’ll see a transformation in engagement, happiness and overall productivity.
Sources:
thehappinessindex.com
www.indeed.com
www.mhanational.org
Jessica Sears is senior writer at Innovative Publishing. She can be reached at jessica@innovativepublishing.com.
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