In a post-pandemic working world, the idea of a work-life balance has certainly changed. In fact, a recent article from the BBC discusses this exact concept explaining that more than ever people want a healthy work-life balance.
The BBC article used data which showed that in 2021 in a survey of more than 9,000 UK workers 65% of job seekers prioritised work-life balance over pay and benefits. They found it’s similar in the US: of 4,000 respondents to the FlexJobs 2022 Career Pulse Survey, 63% said they’d choose work-life balance over better pay.
With a healthy work-life balance on so many employee minds, Myles Wellbeing has researched three easy ways to achieve a work-life balance.
1. Set boundaries (and stick to them!)
Myles Wellbeing spoke to Greg Ives, our Lead Software Developer, about his experience in finding a good work-life balance. For him, the key is to “set boundaries and help yourself by sticking to them”.
Greg explained, “This includes designating time for work and time for your personal life. When I’m not working, I make sure to turn off my work emails and disable any work-related notifications, allowing my brain to completely switch off.”
He added, “I’m also conscious of the impact I have on other people’s work-life balance. For example, I try to avoid sending emails to colleagues outside of typical working hours, and now in most email applications you can now schedule emails which works great!”.
It’s great to create boundaries, but as Greg explains, it is also essential to stick to them. Test out sticking to working normal work hours, particularly if you’re working from home, rather than logging on your laptop at 7pm to only stop reading emails at 9pm.
2. Physically separate your work and home life
We also spoke to Marcus Axelson, Head of Sales at Myles Wellbeing, for tips on achieving a work-life balance. He admitted, particularly from a sales point of view, that he finds it hard to separate his work and home life, but does find that a “physical separation from where you relax and where you work helps”.
This can be particularly hard when you’re working from home as now your office space becomes your kitchen table or bedroom desk, however, if you can avoid working in spaces in your house that you particularly relax in, you will find it easier to separate your work and home life.
3. Find something you enjoy that isn’t work related
Develop a new skill that you won’t need at work or even get out and socialise with your friends if that’s what you enjoy.
By getting out, whether that be in the form of socialising with mates, or physical activity such as a walk, you will be giving your brain a much needed rest from all your previous work. A change in scenery will also help you stick to the boundaries Greg mentioned before, as in that new space you won’t be checking your work emails or Slack notifications.
At Myles Wellbeing, you can have the best of both worlds by connecting to work colleagues whilst you’re doing physical activity. You can compete with and encourage fellow employees when they are doing any form of exercise, which may be their respite from the office, by using our new app. With a leaderboard, you can find your top three athletes in your workplace whilst ensuring you also reward the most improved employees, not just the fittest.
Such colleague bonding, particularly outside of the office space, will help find a balance between work and life, as you’re still connected to your fellow employees, but in a way that is completely unrelated to work.
Try out any of our three easy ways to improve your work life balance and see what a difference it can make to your working attitude!