Tips to improve work/life balance

Tips to improve work/life balance

Schedule your day - plan in fun and rest

While it sounds counterintuitive to add more things in when you’re already drowning in tasks, scheduling times to exercise, socialise and do the things you enjoy is imperative for creating balance.

At the beginning of the week, plan time to do the things that nourish you (mentally and physically) – whether that’s going for a drink with friends, going to the gym or even an evening devoted to pampering. Try to prioritise self-care here and block it out in your calendar, as well as benefitting your well-being, self-care can give you the energy you need to truly show up in other areas of your life. 

Learn to say no

Many of us benefit from establishing clear boundaries in our lives and sometimes that means saying no. Perhaps you're overwhelmed by work tasks, or a friend is relying on you and your plate is full to the brim. We may think saying yes makes us a good employee or friend, but when we do it and sacrifice our own needs, it can lead to burnout.  

If saying no feels difficult, start by asking for more time to think about a request. This gives you a chance to collect your thoughts and respond intentionally. You could also suggest an alternative, instead of a simple no. Practice these techniques and notice how it feels to hold back some yeses for yourself. 

Try the ‘work smart, not long’ method

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to do well and succeed in your career, and working harder and longer may seem like the right thing to do, but it may be hindering your journey to success. The ‘work smart, not long’ method involves tight prioritisation and planning to ensure you do the most important work in a reasonable time frame. It allows you a certain amount of time on a task, without getting caught up in less productive activities or taking on more work than you need.

Physically separate your work and personal life

One of the best work/life balance techniques is to physically create a barrier between you and your work. For example, avoid having emails or communication apps on your phone if possible. Try to stick to your contracted hours and avoid checking emails or answering calls outside of this time. If you work from home, it can be hard to switch off fully. Having a dedicated space can help with this and it's even better if you're able to close a door to your workspace at the end of the day to signal the start of your personal time. 

Make health a priority

Calling in sick isn’t always easy, but you need to prioritise your health and well-being. Pushing through illness and fatigue will only make you feel worse. This is particularly important if you feel close to burnout, you’re frequently experiencing headaches or not sleeping. Ensure your employer is aware of how you are feeling, and the effect a high workload and long hours are having on you. They should support you and together, you can decipher a more manageable plan.

It can feel quite daunting talking to your employer about your health, but being honest about how you feel, and the impact your work is having on your well-being is the most important factor.

Take holiday 

According to a Timetastic survey, over 60% of UK employees didn't take their full holiday allowance in 2022/23. If you also find yourself getting to the end of the year with plenty of holiday days left to use, consider planning your annual leave in advance so that you don't forget to take it. Taking time off is an essential part of our work/life balance to ensure that we're resting and recharging our batteries. It not only benefits you personally but means that you're likely to be more productive at work, too. 

Identify what work/life balance looks like to you

This may not be possible for everyone, but if there are certain working hours and locations that you think will benefit your work/life balance, consider speaking to your employer. If you have a long commute and spend hours in traffic every morning, perhaps you can start earlier, to avoid traffic and make the most of your working time. Maybe you have the option to work remotely. 

Another question to ask yourself is: are you really happy in your role? Think of the reasons why you’re working so hard, and what's causing your stress. Are they avoidable, or can they be managed? Only you know if you can overcome the issues, and if this isn’t possible, maybe it’s time to move on and follow a new path.

We are individuals, and so our work/life balance will look different for all of us. But we should all make a conscious effort to find the right balance (or blend) of work and life. Try visualising a perfect 'average' day. What work are you doing? Where are you doing it? How long are you working for? Is there room for rest and play on this day? Now, how can you take a step closer to this vision?

Work/life balance coaching 

If after implementing any of the above tips you're still struggling to assess your priorities, you may benefit from working alongside a work/life balance coach. Coaches can help you decide what you value most in your personal life and support you in implementing necessary changes to protect your work/life balance.

A coach will work by guiding you, giving you the tools you need to help recognise when your work/life balance might be off and teaching you strategies to lead a more fulfilling and satisfied life. 

Find out more about work/life balance coaching on Life Coach Directory.