Having a balanced lifestyle means developing deep connections with other people (and not just family, but colleagues and friends too). When you are overworked you lose focus on what makes you happy. Am I right? Work plays a significant part in all our lives. If you are struggling to come up with innovative ways to improve your employees’ work-life balance, then why not ask them? Work-life balance is the act of separating one’s work life from their personal life in such a way that neither encroaches on the other. The biggest problem is that most people think they have no choice. It’s not meant to be constantly bombarded by people, social media, email, phone calls, and texts. Work-life balance is a concept that describes the prototype of splitting one's time and energy between work and other important aspects of their life. Now that we’ve gotten behind what work life balance is (and isn’t), and who it’s for, let’s go through the top 10 reasons why work life balance is important. Benefits of work-life balance Achieving a good work-life balance is crucial for all employees. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are a-okay with it. By loosening the reigns when it comes to your people’s work-life balance, you will make huge strides towards building an engaged and productive team. This way you can accurately gauge how your people are feeling at any given time and make adjustments to ensure that they have the right balance. The negative effects of a burnout can affect every aspect of our lives. Work-Life Balance is taking a bigger bite out of corporate profits than any other bottom line issue today. Our Vision At The Happiness Index, our vision is Freedom To Be Human, which means in […], Check out the Cultural Assessment Survey Looking to the future We all know 2020 ushered in an unparalleled amount of change – furlough, pay cuts, redundancies… and of course the remote work era! Chief Storyteller at The Happiness Index – Joe is a published journalist and blogger who’s thoughts on work-life balance and organisational culture feature on page one of Google. Various theories have revealed that work-life balance policies try … Personal and professional demands can turn the best career and life into a daily grind… but it doesn’t have to feel this way. Working too much means less time with those you love. That’s why so many so-called solutions revolve around managing your time, adopting productivity hacks (to be more productive with your time) and creating a more flexible work schedule (so that you can spend more time at home – even if working). Businesses that gain a reputation for encouraging work-life balance have become very attractive – especially when you consider how difficult it can be to attract and retain younger workers these days. One of the biggest reasons why work life balance is important relates to your mental health. . Or visit our GDPR request form here. As the Covid-19 pandemic has triggered mass redundancies and economic recessions, employers are looking for people with more and more skills and experience to fill their […], Are you guilty of ignoring the Financial Reporting Council? Phone: +44 (0) 203 389 5977. We use cookies to ensure you receive the best experience on our site. Besides, a balanced lifestyle makes you more well-rounded, a more creative thinker and more productive. Everyone is at risk of letting work take up an unhealthy portion of their life. That means that you’re rarely moving, often sitting and almost never outside. This will improve retention rates, productivity and ultimately profit. Although this might work (a little) in the short-term, it ultimately creates stress, anxiety, and resentment. Allow schedule flexibility And the need for work life balance is more important than ever. Reason #2: Work Life Balance Will Improve Your Mental Health, Reason #3: Work Life Balance Means Better Physical Health, The Problem With Having a Busy, Demanding Career, Reason #4: A Balanced Lifestyle Enhances Your Ability to Be Present. Some leading companies will get meditation practitioners in to help calm and de-stress their people. Importance of work-life balance: The idea of WLB does bring attention to the fact that being a salve is detrimental to a person’s physical and mental well-being; socializing, physical activity, and being with friends and family are all activities that contribute to being happier and healthier. […], It is safe to say that 2020 has not been a conventional year. To combat this, you could consider installing a games room where people can socialise and take their minds off work. And the need for work life balance is more important than ever. As a business leader, you have a responsibility to help all your team juggle the demands of their work and personal lives. Employers are becoming increasingly aware of the cost implications associated with over-worked employees such as: operating and productivity costs, absenteeism, punctuality, commitment and performance. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has released a new report on compliance with the revised UK Corporate Governance Code, which is designed to ensure companies […], Happiness and humans podcast Summary In this episode of the podcast, Matt Phelan, Founder and Chief Happiness Officer at the Happiness Index, speaks to author, influencer and generally smart human, Gethin Nadin, to get to the bottom of one of life’s biggest questions – can money make you happy? Work-life balance is an important aspect of a healthy work environment. creating space for your brain to think creatively (and know what brings true meaning). In Coworking by Thomas Dean January 24, 2018 Leave a Comment. A balanced lifestyle means more time with family and friends that’s high-quality. Engaged employees are involved in, enthusiastic about and committed to their work. A break from work will provide you with the chance to switch off and enjoy yourself, it is also a great opportunity to recuperate and recharge. The importance of work-life balance for parents reaches beyond improving physical and mental health. This is advantageous to both the employers and the employees. To create it, you’ll need to: All of these require courage, mental strength and resilience (as they’re not easy things to do). It seems like everybody is talking about it, but rarely anyone really has the strength to achieve it. By collaborating with your team, you will get more of an insight into the way they think, and you will be able to work together on strategies more effectively in future. Expect more than a ten fold return on investment in the first 6 months. A study conducted by UCL of more than 10,000 participants stated that white-collar workers who worked three or more hours longer than required had a 60% higher risk of heart-related problems than those who didn’t work overtime. There are five main reasons why companies participate in work life balance programs: high return on investment, recruitment and retention of employees, legislation, costs and union regulations. As a kid fresh out of college and interviewing for full-time positions, this has been one of the heaviest things on my mind. A student can access vast resources of information to complete assignments and a mother can see and talk to a daughter that is thousands of miles away. The benefits also affect your children. Updated On: Nurses can easily become overwhelmed at work, and like everyone else, at home. By offering attention management training, corporate leaders help their team members to maximize productivity and maintain a healthy work-life balance. It’s time for life to be fun again. One of the big reasons why work life balance is important (even imperative) is for your own happiness and fulfillment. One of the biggest complaints I hear from prospective and new clients is the inability to be present (both at home and at work). [Related: 10 Life Tips For How to Excel In Life (2020 Edition)]. Work-Life Balance is becoming an important issue as people deals with shrinking workplace and time pressure. By agreeing to take on more work when you don’t have the capacity or not delegating work that could be delegated, you’re creating more stress for yourself. The Importance Of Work-Life Balance Technology has improved people’s lives in many different ways. Work-Life Balance refers to the concept of managing and the excellent execution of the responsibilities at the workplace as well as in Business organization. . But it can be done (without feeling badly about it). The Importance of Work-Life Balance and Work Environment. But, just what is work-life balance? Reason #9: Real Balance Brings Happiness and Fulfillment, Reason #10: Work Life Balance Brings Higher Levels of Success. Click here For a FREE demo. However, workplace burnouts are avoidable, and you should make efforts to ensure this doesn’t happen to your people. Prioritize what’s truly important (and drop the rest), Why Work Life Balance Is Important For Everyone, 10 Reasons Why Work Life Balance Is Important, Reason #1: Work Life Balance Means Less Stress. Understanding What Work Life Balance Really Is, Redefine Your Work Life Balance Definition (To Be Happily Successful) here. Saying no to things that aren’t priorities. Passionate about engagement, communication and design, he has created HR & people-related comms plans for two companies in the FTSE 100 Index, and has written and graphically designed global reports on workplace happiness & NPS. Work-life balance is hence very essential to improve the emotional and mental stability of a person. Finally, it is important to lead by example. It can be tough to make time for family, friends, community participation, spirituality, personal growth, self-care, and other personal activities, in addition to the demands of the workplace. It’s time for life to be fun again. And you’ll also feel more connected to your work (in a meaningful way). People can live longer, healthier lives because of technological advancements. Importance of Work/Life Balance. Work-Life Balance is taking a bigger bite out of corporate profits than any other bottom line issue today. Work-life balance is said to be the balance of the time someone spends working compared to the time spent on one's personal life (Abioro et al., 2018); (Lazar et al., 2010). Published On: January 10, 2019. It also puts additional pressure on your people to mirror your working hours. Why Mindset Is Everything: The Key to Success & Happiness]. You need to focus on one thing at a time, take small steps and without thinking too much about the destination. Passionate about engagement, communication and design, he has created HR & people-related comms plans for two companies in the FTSE 100 Index, and has written and graphically designed global reports on workplace happiness & NPS. 60% higher risk of heart-related problems, New Year. Below are some of the benefits of work-life balance. The human brain isn’t meant to feel stressed-out and under pressure all the time. The American Sociological Association compiled a report, which suggests that a larger number of vacations lead to a decline in the psychological distress of people. According to respondents, work-life balance (64%) is the most important factor for defining overall professional satisfaction, ranking ahead of both job security (59%) and compensation (54%). Additionally, think about how that will affect your outlook (both generally and within your career). Men talk about having time for their priorities and making an impact (both at work and in their family’s life). There are so many benefits of having that balance, one of them being that it can help improve your mental health. Address: Waverley House, 9 Noel Street, Soho, London W1F 8GQ Allowing work stress to infiltrate your home life is one of the primary indicators that you are not achieving a work life balance. 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