Work-Life Balance and Its Importance Today - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Work-Life Balance and Its Importance Today - Introvert Whisperer Work-Life Balance and Its Importance Today Work-life balance has gained considerable importance in the last few years. Experts at Rutgers University claim that “Work-life balance has become a top priority to many workers entering or moving up the career ladder in today’s workforce. This trend is evident in a broad range of careers and industries.” One reason for this is the growing number of millennials entering the workforce. With an increasing number of millennials dominating office environments, employers are trying harder to appeal to this majority by emphasizing a healthy balance between work and personal life. However, millennials tend to define work-life balance differently from previous generations, owing to the continuous evolution in regards to the definition of the term. So what exactly does work-life balance consist of today? That’s a question with no fixed answer as, ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all definition of work-life balance. Contrary to popular belief, work-life balance is not a 50/50 split between one’s professional and personal life. In fact, work-life balance can differ from person to person and depends greatly on one’s priorities at a given time. For instance, a married person with kids will have a very different definition of work-life balance from that of a recent graduate with student debt. Why is Work-life Balance Important? Having a proper work-life balance has many advantages. Most significantly, maintaining a healthy work-life balance prevents employee burnout and reduces chronic stress. Alan Kohll, a Forbes contributor for corporate wellness, writes that “Chronic stress is one of the most common health issues in the workplace. It can lead to physical consequences such as hypertension, digestive troubles, chronic aches and pains and heart problems.” Eventually, too much stress over extended periods of time can lead to employee burnout, affecting both the company and employee very negatively. Employee burnout has severe psychological ramifications, and results in a major drop in employee productivity and performance. Promoting a well-balanced life can reduce the probability of burnout significantly. While the most obvious benefit of work-life balance is fewer health problems in employees, it also aids in boosting employee engagement. Additionally, companies that promote work-life balance tend to attract and retain top talent as the general employee satisfaction level is much higher. There are many telltale signs that indicate poor work-life balance amongst employees no matter the industry. These include overeating or barely eating, experiencing lack of sleep, having nightmares about work, a feeling of depression, constant irritability and fatigue, getting sick often, drinking excessive coffee, and refusing to take a break at work. Should employers or employees notice any of these signs recurring in fellow employees, they should encourage the affected employee to take action and actively work towards a better work-life balance before it is too late. How to Achieve Better Work-Life Balance One of the best ways for employers to promote work-life balance is to allow for a flexible work environment. Doing so is proven to satisfy the needs of most employees, no matter which generation of workers they belong to. Flexible work environments that encourage remote working have been shown not only to boost productivity but also reduce stress levels. The ability to work from anywhere enables employees to personalize their schedules and save ample time that would have otherwise been spent in long commutes. This translates into extra time to invest in self-care and wellness activities. Simultaneously, employers must realize that work-life balance goes beyond simply the hours of work. Creating a happy, accepting and safe work environment for employees should be a top priority for employers. An overall positive work experience allows employees to feel like their place of work is like their second home, and creates a healthy mindset. Companies can improve workplace culture by providing competitive compensation, prioritizing comfortable working conditions and providing opportunities for professional development. Alongside employers, there are many actions employees can take to achieve a better work-life balance. One suggestion is to organize the week in advance. Coming home after a busy day at work to a long list of chores with no idea where to start is a major cause of stress for a lot of employees. As aptly stated in this article, “With a job, family, and housework to balance, sometimes it seems impossible to indulge in hobbies or even just relax.” Taking some time out at the start of every week to map out weekly goals and create to-do lists can help relieve that foreboding feeling of stress and provide a sense of direction through the week. Organizing one’s week in advance is a great way to free up some time that could then be used to pursue non-work and non-household related interests, or to simply relax and unwind. Additionally, employees should commit to “disconnecting” and spending some time away from their digital devices. In today’s overly connected world, it’s easy to feel “always-on.” Constantly checking emails and engaging on social media doesn’t really allow one to separate work life from personal time. Committing to a fixed amount of no-screen time can help employees slow down and decompress, giving their minds a complete break from the work-induced, high-stress mindset. Achieving a healthy work-life balance no longer happens as organically as it once did. In today’s digital era, maintaining a comfortable balance between the professional and personal takes effort and strategic thought from employers and employees alike. However, given the importance of work-life balance, this shouldnt be a deterrent. Rather, employers and employees should work together to create optimum working conditions that promote a productive, happy, and healthy lifestyle. Author Bio: Frankie Wallace  is a freelance writer from Boise, Idaho and contributes to a wide variety of blogs online. Wallace writes about many different topics, from education to the environment. 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