7 tips for a healthy work–life balance

In times of home office and flexible working hours, the boundaries between work and private life are increasingly blurry. Many young professionals feel they have to be available after hours or even fill in at weekends. At the same time, they also know how crucial it is to have a good work–life balance.

So what is the best way to achieve a harmonious lifestyle? This article provides useful tips to help you strike the right balance for you.

What is work–life balance?

Work–life balance describes the way your work and your private life affect each other. Is there enough time when you’re not working to create a good balance? In order to be able to disconnect from work on a regular basis, it’s important to make time for yourself, your friends and your family. As a result, you’ll feel satisfied with your everyday life and have enough energy for everything life throws at you.

Here‘s why a good work–life balance matters

A good work–life balance can mean different things to different people. Young people in particular already take into account how well a job can be combined with their private life when choosing a career. Not only the job itself is a decisive factor, but also the location, for example. However, long weekly working hours and working overtime are most frequently seen as reasons for a poor work-life balance.

Flexibility in your professional life plays a crucial role when it comes to your mental health. This is what FlexJobs found out in a survey they commissioned with Mental Health America. The results show that 17% of workers with flexible work arrangements suffer from mental health problems. This percentage is, in fact, comparatively low. Among workers who don’t have access to flexible work options, almost twice as many suffer from mental health issues (27%).

Flexible working hours offer you more than just greater independence in the job itself. They also give you the freedom you need to achieve a better work-life balance.

7 tips for your perfect work–life balance

As a rule, you should pay attention to your own needs in your professional life and always put your mental and physical health first. To help you achieve this, we have 7 tips that you can put into practice immediately.

1. Plan ahead

Determine what you want to accomplish this week and what the deadlines are. With a weekly plan, you create structure and can organise all of your to-dos. This way you won’t have to worry about forgetting anything, avoiding unnecessary stress

2. Prioritise your tasks

It is impossible to do everything at once. Tackle the most urgent tasks first. You may also find it helpful to deal with unpleasant tasks first so that they are off the table. Crossing completed to-dos off your list will help you stay on top of your progress and motivate you to keep going.

3. Give yourself a break

Sometimes you just have to give work a rest. Regular breaks are important so that your body can recover, and you can recharge your batteries. Make sure that you really do switch off during your breaks. It helps to close your laptop and put your smartphone aside.

4. Integrate more movement into your everyday life

Your body needs exercise to stay fit. However, it doesn’t always have to be a workout in the gym. Integrating light exercise into your everyday life helps too. For example, take the stairs instead of the lift, walk or cycle short distances, or make phone calls standing up. A walk during your lunch break also works wonders. And should you find the time for a little exercise, your mind can switch off too.

5. Celebrate even the small achievements

Motivate yourself by celebrating small intermediate goals. Often we finish work dissatisfied because we didn‘t get everything done. But the small successes are just as important as the big ones. Before you leave work, think about what you achieved during the day and how it’s brought you one step closer to your big goal.

6. Make time for your friends

Make sure you don’t forget about your social contacts. Schedule time for your friends and family on a regular basis or set fixed days to meet up. This will give you a chance to exchange ideas and share experiences.

7. Catch up on your well-deserved sleep

Sleep is important – yet we often don‘t get enough of it, especially during the week. Have a proper rest over the weekend to recover so you can start the new week in the best possible way.

Good luck on your way to more balance!

Bonus tip: Protect your livelihood

We’re more stressed these days because there are more things in our lives that stress us out. The sources of this stress aren’t just at the workplace; they’re also hiding in your private life. More stressful things → more stress → more mental health issues.

Did you know that mental illnesses are the number one cause of occupational disability? According to current figures, they account for one out of every three claims.

If you are unable to work due to ill health, it’s essential that you continue to have money coming in to cover your living expenses, allowing you to focus fully on your recovery.

With income protection insurance, you can continue to receive a monthly income, so you don’t have to worry about your financial security if you need to stop working.

Find the best cover for you! Simply book a free consultation with our insurance experts.