![life balance life balance](https://yufamilylaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Burnout-10-1.png)
![life balance life balance](https://cdn.myepique.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/work_life_balance.jpg)
A 2014 study, for example, found that after workers hit a certain number of hours, their productivity began to decrease as the potential for mistakes and injuries increased. While employers and employees might associate long working hours with increased productivity, many researchers say otherwise. Unfortunately, as these conditions arise they can also exacerbate our work-life issues, which in turn can exacerbate the conditions themselves thus, leading to a vicious cycle. Studies have found that working long hours can lead to such serious health issues as “impaired sleep, depression, heavy drinking, diabetes, impaired memory, and heart disease”. Improving your work-life balance can potentially improve your overall well-being, including your physical, emotional, and mental health.
![life balance life balance](http://anthillonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/work-life-balance.jpg)
![life balance life balance](https://brightlink.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/WorkLifeBalance_Graphic.jpg)
Some examples include:Ī stay-at-home working parent who tackles assignments while their newborn is nappingĪ student who forgoes a Friday-night party to study for midtermsĪ lawyer who dedicates extra time to assignments during some periods of the year, but who consciously unplugs when on vacation during othersĪn immigrant who uses their work breaks to study for their citizenship testĪ janitor who crafts their schedule to work specific days so that on other days they can take care of their elderly parents The unique nature of each of our lives and our fluctuating responsibilities means that work-life balance and integration look different for everyone. In some cases, you might even find it useful to switch between the two as needed.
Life balance how to#
While work-life integration might give you a more holistic framework for understanding how to manage your various responsibilities, work-life balance might emphasize a much-needed sense of division for those who find work creeping into their personal lives, particularly with the rise of smartphones. Whatever term you prefer to use, the reality is that both describe our fundamental attempt to manage our various responsibilities and goals. Rather than resembling a scale with two competing sides, work-life integration more resembles a Venn diagram of overlapping interests. Supporters argue that each of these feed one another and that each is subsequently necessary for us to thrive. From this perspective, work is simply one of the numerous aspects of our lives, which needs to be considered alongside other important concerns, such as our home and family lives, our community, and our personal well-being.
Life balance professional#
In response, some have begun advocating instead for the term work-life integration, or the synergistic blending of our personal and professional responsibilities. The result is that we might inadvertently reinforce unhealthy concepts about how to view either our work or personal life, such as feeling guilty when we forgo one responsibility for another. In recent years, however, the term has come under scrutiny due to its suggestion that our work and personal lives exist in separate, adversarial spheres that are constantly fighting for our time. Work-life balance is typically defined as the amount of time you spend doing your job versus the amount of time you spend with your friends, family, and pursuing your personal interests. In this article, consequently, you will not only learn what work-life balance is and why it matters but also the steps you can take to start achieving yours. In other words, there is no universal approach to achieving harmony between work and life – but there are methods that can point most of us in the right direction. For a busy nurse or teacher, who spends all day helping others, it might mean setting aside specific days for self-care. For a parent, it might mean adjusting their work schedule to spend more evenings with their kids during the school year. For a college student it might mean forgoing Friday-night parties this weekend to study for next week’s midterm. The unique nature of each of our lives, though, also means that each of our work-life balances will be unique to us. Yet, despite how it may sometimes seem, it is possible to achieve a healthy balance that both fits your particular circumstances and supports your professional goals and personal relationships. As we commit time to one side, the others seem to inevitably shrink. Personal days devoted to pursuing personal interests.Īt times, these simple pleasures can seem elusive and unattainable. Work set aside at the end of the work day.