5 Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Work-Life Balance

Over the years, maintaining a healthy work-life balance has become increasingly important to workers at all levels and across all industries. From spending more time with family to preventing health-related issues ranging from heart disease to depression, people are realizing the benefits of drawing a line between work and their personal life.

Here are a few quick tips to help you build a healthy work-life balance and get rid of the stress that may be causing burnout in your career.

Leave work at work.
Make a clear distinction between where your work life ends and your personal life begins. When you leave the office for the day, leave unfinished projects and assignments on your desk. Obviously, there will be exceptions from time-to-time, but try not to make a habit of working late nights or taking work home. When work time and personal time start to blend together, it can be difficult to separate the two, which could eventually cause you to burnout.

Learn to better manage your time.
There are only so many hours in a day, so make sure you’re using them wisely. Try carrying a notebook with you for an entire week and keep track of how you spend your time throughout each day. At the end of the week review your notes to see if there are any areas where you have a tendency to waste time or if there are particular parts of the day when you are most productive. Then build your weekly work schedule accordingly to take advantage of those times.

Plan time for fun and relaxation.
If you have vacation time, use it. All of it. Taking an occasional break from the daily grind of the work week to relax and recharge can go a long way toward creating a healthy work-life balance. So, even if it’s only a day here and there, take some time to travel, focus on a hobby, or spend time with friends and family.

Exercise.
Studies have shown time and time again that exercise can do wonders for people with high stress and anxiety. And best of all, it doesn’t require too much time out of your day to feel the effects. It can be as simple as a 30-minute walk through a park during your lunch hour or taking a bike ride after work a few nights a week. Many times people rely on food, sleep, or alcohol to help relieve stress, but these activities often just add to it. So, whether it’s yoga or weight lifting, find an activity to get your body moving and burn off excess stress.

Make a change.
If you’re trying to get your work life in balance but nothing seems to be working, it may be time to ask yourself some hard questions. Do you truly have a passion for your career? Are there other jobs that you think you would enjoy? Are you willing to make a major change in order to make more time for family and friends? These questions are tough, but they only get tougher the longer you wait to answer them.

A significant portion of our lives will be spent at work, and without a healthy work-life balance, that time could not only feel like an eternity, but it could also have a significant impact on your health and happiness. So, whether it’s exercise, hobbies, or family and friends, remember to make time to focus on the things that matter most in your life.