Work Smarter, Not Harder: Ways to Improve Your Work-Life Balance

It’s common for people to priortize work over health, family, and social relationships. Most people attribute this practice to “the grind” and normalize it, but overworking can significantly affect your health and happiness. When you don’t have any strong boundaries when it comes to work, particularly with overworking, it can reduce your quality time spent with loved ones and increase your chances of mental health conditions like depression. You can still work hard and be successful with a healthy work-life balance. In fact, your professional skills and career may improve with healthy boundaries. Taking time to yourself to refresh can change your perspective and energy levels while working. If you’re interested in improving your work-life balance, the first step is learning the most common and effective strategies.

Set Boundaries

Many people overwork themselves due to weak work boundaries. You may wish to only work on weekdays, but your boss manipulates you into weekend overtime. When you have strong boundaries in place, no means no and you won’t budge. Many people weaken their boundaries to appear more flexible and accommodating, but this can often result in long work hours and less time off. Start setting more professional boundaries. If you prefer to have a certain schedule or a particular day off, set that boundary. If your boundaries are disrespected, issue reminders and warnings that your boundaries are being breached. If the behavior continues, you may need to find new work or cease professional contact with a client or coworker.

Tighten Your Work Schedule

Working hard doesn’t necessarily mean working all the time. You’re also overworking if you come home from work or log out and find yourself checking work emails in your free time. Leave work for your work time only, not your free time. If you’re on call, only commit to working when you receive a call; don’t rearrange your day to accommodate work when you don’t need to. If you work by your own schedule, set a certain amount of hours per day or week and leave work behind at the end of the day. When your work schedule is tighter, you won’t work as often; it will increase your free time and improve your happiness.

Improve Your Commute

A commute is typically unpaid and subtracts from both work and personal time. A work commute is often unavoidable, but there are many ways to improve it. Schedule your GPS to take the shortest route that avoids traffic whenever possible. Listen to your favorite music, audiobook, or podcast to make the time more enjoyable. Bring a travel mug with your favorite drink to enjoy on the road. If you take public transportation to work, find the best route and schedule that minimizes time on the road and reduces tardiness. Consider carpooling a few days of the week to reduce stress. You may want to save up for a bike or a car to allow yourself to travel at your own pace. In rare cases, employers may offer an employee shuttle bus to reduce commute stress. Take advantage of these shuttles whenever possible.

Use More Time Off

Many employers offer paid time off as an employee benefit. It’s not unusual for paid time off to expire after a certain period of time, causing you to lose those hours you could have taken off. Take advantage of paid time off! Take the whole day off for a doctor’s appointment or birthday party. Schedule a vacation even if you don’t plan on going anywhere. Rest and leisure time is very important to recharge and unwind during your career.

Take Breaks

During the work day, you may be tempted to keep grinding without interruptions to get work done faster. While this may allow you to get work done at a quicker pace that day, you may be slower other days due to fatigue or burnout. Take breaks often! Even if your break is only five minutes, your mind can rest, recharge, and enrich itself with relaxation, improving cognitive function. You may find your workload gets done faster overall with break times.

Know When to Ask for Help

No one builds their career entirely alone. At work, it’s important to focus on your roles and ask for help when you need to. If you don’t ask for help, you may struggle or feel isolated, which can affect your work hours, mental health, and burnout levels. Instead of spending hours agonizing over one thing, ask for help when you need to. There’s no need to do everything alone.

Know Your Strengths and Limits

It’s commonly expected to push past physical fatigue and mental exhaustion for the “grind” or career success. Employees are often rewarded for going above and beyond, and this usually means being overworked or overscheduled. Pay attention to when you’re at your limit, extremely exhausted, or mentally drained. Take a break or schedule time off if this occurs often. Limit your work hours to accommodate your physical and mental health.

Prioritize Health

If possible, don’t work when you’re sick or having a bad mental health day. Prioritize your health and wellbeing above all else. Don’t miss doctor or therapy appointments, especially for work. A good employer or career will encourage you to take care of your health.

Schedule Social Time

If you work all the time, it can be difficult to find time to socialize between resting and working. Schedule regular social time to combat this, and prioritize it. Don’t cancel on plans with friends to work. Leisure time with friends and family can help refresh your mind and improve your mental health. Working all the time isn’t good for you!

Photo by Pim Chu on Unsplash