Whilst achieving a successful career is one of the top priorities for workers in the UK, it’s also important to find a balance between work and life outside of work. If you have not heard of work-life balance, it’s simply the amount of time spent at either work or completing work tasks compared to the amount of time spent on your personal life. No matter what your job is and what your responsibilities are outside of work, it’s crucial to find a happy medium for both. This will in-turn improve your overall happiness and wellbeing. It also prevents you from burn-out and reduces stress. If that isn’t enough to convince you, we don’t know what is!
When reviewing your work-life balance, begin by looking at your current demands and expectations both in and out of work. Create some rules or boundaries so that one doesn’t take over from the other. We all have bad days now and then, but by thinking ahead, you can begin to reduce the amount of pressure you put on yourself.
- Plan your day
There are a number of ways to keep work and life separate. Planning your day in advance will help you to set realistic goals that could be achieved during your eight hours. At the weekends, don’t check work emails unless it is absolutely necessary.
- Prioritise tasks
Before you feel like you are drowning, make a list of the tasks that need completing and when. This will help prioritise the important and/or urgent task which could range from anything work-related to going to the bank.
- Learn to say no
It may be hard to do so, but learning to say no to extra work or additional activities outside of work can help free up some time. It’s OK to say no occasionally, especially if your current workload or personal life admin doesn’t allow for it.
- Book out some ‘me time’
The most important one – ‘you time’. Schedule in some time to do what you love, whether it’s reading a book to going for a swim. By making some time for you, your body and mind will thank you for it.