The term “work-life balance” has yet to lose its buzz in the last few years. This is partially due to the dominating presence of millennials in the workforce. Employers have been putting in a tremendous effort trying to determine the best way to appeal to millennial workers. With the millennial generation of workers projected to take up 75% of the workforce by 2025, many leaders think it’s time to redefine what work-life balance looks like.
Work-life balance means prioritization between personal and professional activities. It is the level of an individual’s life when activities related to their job are present in the home.
Is there an ideal work-life balance? This question is rather discussable. Sometimes happiness is defined as having little or no differentiation between an individual’s professional and personal lives.
This balance has become a topical issue because of the increased amount of technology that removes the importance of physical location in defining the work-life balance. Previously the line between professional and personal was clearer so it was harder or impossible to take work home.
Work Life Balance Means Less Stress
Workplace stress is estimated to be the 5th biggest cause of death in the United States. Additionally, a quarter of Americans identify their jobs as their #1 source of stress.
The biggest problem is that most people think they have no choice. But that’s not really true.
Remember that work life balance is ultimately created through your choices. That’s also what’s causing much of your stress. 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.
Here are the choices that you could start making for yourself to relieve a lot of your stress and anxiety:
- Saying no to things that aren’t priorities.
- Delegating as much as can be delegated.
- Choosing to do things that are priorities (and letting go of non-priorities).
- Prioritizing your own wellbeing.
The end result is a more manageable workload and more time doing the things that are important to you. That’s going to greatly decrease your stress and anxiety levels.
A Balanced Lifestyle Enhances Your Ability to Be Present
One of the biggest complaints I hear from prospective and new clients is the inability to be present (both at home and at work). What that looks like is this:
- Your mind feels like it’s always “on”, racing and cluttered with thoughts that can sometimes be difficult to decipher.
- Always thinking about work when with family and friends (which then leads you to constantly check email).
- Worrying about what’s going on in your personal life when trying to work (such as your overflowing laundry, the fight you had with your spouse that morning or how guilty you feel about not making it to your child’s piano recital the other night).
The good news is that your brain can be trained to be more present and calm through consistent practice of specific mindfulness practices. Doing that is part of how you create a balanced life.
