Get our head around the reasons why having a healthy work-life balance is so vital before we give up on our ambition of achieving a work-life balance.
Because having a firm grasp of the reasons for the significance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance is not just useful but essential to the process of achieving a well-rounded existence.
In addition, the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between one's professional and personal life is rising.
Especially when one considers the unpredictability of the workplace, which is frequently accompanied by high levels of pressure, as well as the increased blurring of the barriers between work and personal life. It can even lead to events like the great resignation.
This is why we are going to go over five reasons why having a healthy work-life balance is so crucial.
What Is A Work-Life Balance?
The concept of “work-life balance" is familiar to many of us, but the actual achievement of such a balance can be challenging.
We are all familiar with the sensation that comes when the pressures on one side of the work-life balance scale begin to pile up and take over the majority of our days.
On the opposite side of the scale, we may also be familiar with the sensation of having dreams and wants that go unsatisfied.
They cause people to gradually develop a hazy sense of discontentment and disengagement over time.
In light of the foregoing, how can we organize our time and energy in such a manner that we have a sense of completeness and participation in our life as a whole human being?
What are some ways that we might minimize mental exhaustion while still presenting the best version of ourself?
The phrase "work-life balance" is frequently used to indicate a compromise. We find a healthy balance between the time we devote to initiatives at work and the time spent with family and friends and pursuing personal interests.
5 Reasons Why Work-Life Balance Is Important
The process of integrating one's work and personal life is one that is continual and ever-changing.
As both our hobbies and our life circumstances shift over time, we should expect to continually expand our knowledge and become more flexible. It'll involve honing important talents, like time management skills and even developing a disciplined mindfulness practice.
Let it be enjoyable! In addition, make it a habit to review our priorities on a regular basis to account for any shifts in our life.
We will need to evaluate whether or not our priorities still correspond with the way that we are investing our time and effort in the world.
As a keynote speaker, I have devised these 5 reasons why work-life balance is important:
Work-Life Balance Boosts Productivity
It's likely that our levels of productivity may decrease if we're overworked, stressed out, and exhausted.
Research has shown that those who are able to strike a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives are much more productive than those who are unable to do so. [1]
If we spend a lot of time at work, we owe it to ourself to be transparent about how this impacts us. If this is affecting the amount and quality of our job, achieving a better balance between our work and personal life can be the best approach to reset.
Maintaining Mental Health
Today, there is a significant amount of focus placed on the topic of mental health in the workplace. Workplace stress plays a crucial role in the challenges that many people confront, and this stress frequently starts from a lack of a healthy work-life balance. [2]
The rates of depression and anxiety are both on the rise. The presence of very high workloads, long hours, limited time away from the office, and the perception that our contributions are not recognized can all serve to exacerbate this problem.
On the other hand, if we have a healthy work-life balance, which includes regular time for meditation, mindfulness and positive relationships, it will be much simpler for us to de-stress, and we will have more opportunities to get perspective and regain our confidence. Not maintaining healthy mental health can lead to quiet quitting.
Prioritizing Physical Health
The cumulative effect of a sedentary lifestyle, such as that led by working in an office all day, is not very beneficial to our physical, emotional and mental health.
A healthy balance between work and personal life is necessary because it frees up time for activities that can improve one's physical and mental health, such as going to the gym or making other adjustments in one's lifestyle that can lower blood pressure.
Furthermore, the more physically fit we are, the more probable it is that we will be able to perform well in our job.
Ensure We are Well-Rounded
If we don't strike a healthy balance between our work and personal life, our life may start to seem quite one-dimensional since it's dominated by our job.
A routine consisting of work, eating, sleeping, repeating does not provide much opportunity for personal growth, hobbies, creativity, or innovation, all of which are essential to the development of a well-rounded worker.
If we have the time outside of work to continually push ourselves, grow, learn, develop and become more mindful, we will be able to bring these skills into the workplace as well, whether it be as a better colleague or as a person who is a source of ideas.
Life Is Short
When people reflect on their life, only a very small percentage of them wish they had worked more. Getting the most out of life and living in a way that is gratifying and meaningful requires striking a healthy balance between one's professional and personal responsibilities.
These are just some of the many reasons why maintaining a healthy balance between work, and personal life is critical for everyone. We may discover this type of equilibrium more easily if we play the correct role.
Conclusion
When it comes to advancing one's career and making progress, the concept of maintaining a healthy work-life balance is sometimes ignored.
Nevertheless, it has a huge influence on the individual experience and is an essential factor in the achievement of success in the future.
When both one's personal and professional lives are in balance, it is the simplest way to explain what we mean by work-life balance.
In addition to work, committing to a position, and making plans for one's future growth, there is room for one's home life, family, hobbies, meditation, time off, etc.
References
1. Lupu I, Ruiz-Castro M. Work-Life Balance Is a Cycle, Not an Achievement. Harvard Business Review. 2021 Jan 29; Available from: https://hbr.org/2021/01/work-life-balance-is-a-cycle-not-an-achievement
2. Schmitt N, Fuchs A, Kirch W. Mental Health Disorders and Work-life Balance. In: Promoting Health for Working Women. 2008. p. 117–36.