August 2, 2024

Finding Work Life Balance – The Key To Sound Mental Health

Do you ever feel like your job has taken over your personal life? On the other hand, do you have so many obligations at home or with family that you’re not giving your best at work? Finding a balance between the two is not easy, but you need to balance them if you want sound mental health and a happy and fulfilling life.

• How Can You Tell if your Work Life Balance is Healthy?

Everyone has different work, relationship, and family situations. Here are some positive signs that you’re balancing your job and home life well:

• You can meet work deadlines without needing overtime.
• You do not feel that your work demands, and personal commitments are in conflict all the time.
• You spend the time you like with friends and family.
• You eat a balanced, healthy diet and you get enough rest at night.
• Your work responsibilities don’t worry you when you’re at home or out with friends.
• You take vacation days from work and use sick days as needed.
• You’re productive when at work but your identity doesn’t hinge on your career.

https://www.verywellmind.com/why-work-life-balance-is-so-important-8374683#toc-how-can-i-tell-if-i-have-a-healthy-work-life-balance

• How Can You Find a Healthy Work Life Balance?

Here are some ways to find that balance you need between work and away from work:

• Do your work in manageable chunks.

If you work for eight or more hours a day, it can lead you to burnout. Set yourself a timer for 30-45 minutes and be committed to your work during that time. After the timer goes off, take a 10-minute break and stretch, walk around outside or grab a quick snack.

• Track how you use the time you have during your day.

Track the amount of time spent on all parts of your personal life, including work, commuting, chores, errands and downtime. After two days of tracking, check to see if you feel tired, or if some parts of your life are taking up too much time.

• Limit work tasks done during your personal time.

Before you check your work email from home or take time to phone a client, assess what you’re doing. Could those calls or emails be made during your scheduled work time? If the answer is yes, wait until tomorrow to make that call or send that email.

• Limit errands for personal reasons during your work time.

If you work off-site or on and off site, don’t spend a lot of time running errands for your personal needs. Block out special times for work, separate from time spent for personal reasons.

• Remember, you need relaxation, too.

Relaxation is as important in your life as work. Spend time each day doing things you enjoy, like exercising or reading. If your job bleeds into personal time too much, think about reorganizing your schedule and improving your time management.

• How do you feel about your work life?

If you’re unhappy at work, the balance of work and home life doesn’t really matter. If your job leads to more stress than you feel it’s worth, you might never be able to find a good balance. You can consider other jobs or other companies, if you need to.

https://milehighpsychiatry.com/how-to-find-a-healthy-work-life-balance/

Other Ways of Finding a Healthy Work Life Balance

• Balance your personal support network.

What would happen if the company you work for closes or lays you off? Your career is certainly important, but social connections help to ground you during stressful times and transitions. Whether that includes community involvement or simply time with family and friends, these are social connections that should be continually cultivated.

• Cut down on screen fatigue.

With all the technology we have today, it’s a part of your life now. It’s fine to check in now and then on social media, but don’t forget to stay in touch with family and friends in real life, too. Your social interaction shouldn’t all be online.

• Energize with physical break time.

Take energizing breaks during your workday. Walk, jog or use your physicality in other ways. This is a wonderful stress reliever, and it’ll help you feel better too.

https://www.workplacestrategiesformentalhealth.com/resources/work-life-balance-tips

Conclusion

Only you can define and control your work to life balance. No one escapes hardship and challenge, but when you develop more resilience and seek a healthy balance each day, it will help you. Take the time and thought you need to balance your work and personal life. Your sound mental health depends on it.

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If you liked this article, check out my Substack Newsletter on "Embracing Uncertainty, Navigating Change, and Thriving in Transition" at: https://theunreliablemind.substack.com/p/embracing-uncertainty-navigating