What is work–life balance?
Work–life balance is when someone places the same value on their personal life as on their work life—or gets the same level of satisfaction from both.
Imbalance can arise from longer and more stressful work hours, increased responsibilities at home such as children, and other factors. One side of the work–life relationship ends up taking more time and effort while producing less happiness and well-being.
A stable work–life balance doesn’t just increase happiness—it improves mental health and contributes to better physical health too.
Why is work–life balance important for employers?
It’s easy to see the benefits to the of a good work–life balance, but there are also benefits to their employer. These include:
- Lower absenteeism
- Higher productivity
- Increased motivation
- Better commitment
- Boosted self-esteem
Happier workers are a big plus, and studies show that a good work–life balance also supports better health. Increased stress from a poor work–life balance can raise the risk of health issues.
What are the factors affecting work–life balance?
Factors that affect work–life balance include:
- Mental and physical health
- Emotional well-being
- The length of the work commute
- Management issues
- Lack of defined personal time, or always being on call for your job
These factors and others add negativity in one area without adding any positivity elsewhere. Any element of work or home life can tip the scales toward imbalance.
How to improve work–life balance
Achieving a work–life balance lowers the risk of . It can give you a sense of that calms you, boosts your mood, and supports better sleep habits and a greater appreciation of your job and your life.
Accept there is no perfect work–life balance
When you picture a perfect work–life balance, you’re probably imagining an easy-going, productive work day without stress, then leaving early to be home with the people you love, doing everything you’d like to do.
Perfect days are rare, so aim for an achievable goal instead. A more fluid balance—where some days are work-focused and others are family- or home-focused—is a more realistic approach.
Boss in Heels’ founder, Heather Monahan, says you should “remain fluid and constantly assess” so that you “allow yourself to remain open to redirecting and assessing your needs on any day.”
Love your job
Dreading showing up for your job isn’t the path to a better work–life balance. Finding a job you’re excited about goes a long way toward lowering your stress levels and increasing your productivity.
Any job that drains you to the point where you can’t enjoy anything outside work is a toxic situation.
Prioritize your health
This one is easy to see, yet so easily put aside. Your health—physical and mental—should be your main concern. If you’re not in good health, you can’t work to provide for yourself and your loved ones, and you can’t enjoy your home and family life either.
By prioritizing your health, you’re placing value on yourself and your future. If you’re mentally and physically strong, you’ll be more productive and take fewer sick days. That’s a win–win for you and your employer.
Unplug and relax
There’s so much noise and chatter in our lives that cutting ties with the tech world for a while can help you wind down. It also reduces blue-light exposure, which can help you sleep better and reduce eye strain and fatigue.
Reading or finding other ways to occupy yourself outside screen time can boost your morale and lower your stress levels. Don’t think you’re hooked? For one day, count how many times you pick up your phone after work. It’s more than you think.
Take a vacation
Along with unplugging, step back from all work for a few days. Surveys by the US Travel Association have repeatedly found that around half of American workers leave vacation time unused because they prioritize their job too highly.
Taking a vacation distances you from work and its stresses. Keep your phone on silent and prioritize you, your family, and your . Plan your time off well so that when you return to work, you won’t have to play “catch up” and undo the benefits of your vacation.
Make time for yourself and your loved ones
In addition to taking time off and prioritizing your health and well-being, make time for your friends and family.
Scheduling dates or nights out—while not the most romantic or spontaneous approach—ensures you prioritize this area of your life. It helps you avoid double-booking and protects time with your loved ones.
Set boundaries and define working hours
Firm boundaries around work matter. By having definite working hours and knowing you’re not available for work calls and emails 24/7, you’re respecting your work–life balance and keeping work creep from spreading into your home life.
A separate work phone and work computer help here—power them down when you come home, and start them up again when you go back to work. You can still be online and active without alerting your company that you’re available, and without the temptation to work off the clock.
Set goals and priorities and stick to them
By (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound), you’ll manage your time better. You’ll see which tasks matter less than others and prioritize more effectively.
Test your daily workload to discover your most productive parts of the day, and plan harder tasks for those time slots. Checking your phone and emails too frequently wastes time and lowers your attention to detail. Set aside hourly check-ins—or even less frequent ones—so you can focus solely on your work. Small, regular goals can be far more productive than slogging toward larger, distant ones.
If you’re a reward-based thinker, give yourself a little treat each time you hit a goal or milestone. It can keep you motivated to stick to your plan.
The flexible workspace for work–life balance
In one Workest survey, 73% of employees said their job satisfaction improved with flexible work schedules, and 78% said this approach made them more productive at work. 77% considered it a major factor when looking for a job.
Workplace flexibility is a key factor in stabilizing work–life balance.
How to be a supportive manager
Helping your employees achieve a better work–life balance means happier, healthier workers. Here are a few ways to support your team.
Understand your employees’ goals
Not every worker has the same work–life balance goals. Talk with them about their needs so you understand each person’s goals. By staying flexible, you can find a middle ground that meets their needs and the company’s.
Be the example
Make sure your employees see you modeling a good work–life balance. Don’t send business emails or texts after hours, and let your workers see that you respect their time off the clock. Showing they aren’t obligated to be “on call” without pay demonstrates a respectful work–life balance—and respect for them.
Give them options
Let your employees know they have options for flexible working. Frequent 1:1 meetings let you go over available benefits in advance and discuss anything on the horizon.
By coordinating an upcoming birth or other time-off request early, you can show employees everything available to them to maximize that time off. They can tell you what they’re looking for, what’s changed in their goals, and discuss their options for keeping a positive work–life balance.
Stay ahead of the curve
Be the go-to manager for work–life balance trends. What’s important today may not be as important next year. Keep learning about in-demand benefits and to keep employee programs fresh.
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