A poor work-life balance can have a big impact on your mental health. An excessive focus on work can increase anxiety, contribute to feelings of panic and more. Maintaining a good balance can be key to improving your mental wellness and avoiding burnout. A study of workers in Poland found that people with a higher conflict or lower balance between work and life were more likely to report negative mental and physical health symptoms. These symptoms included stress, emotional and mental exhaustion, low moods, depression, sleep problems, and negative emotions, such as anger and resentment. Fortunately, these symptoms can be avoided. By finding a better balance, you can start to improve your overall health and well-being.
What is work-life balance?
Work-life balance is about managing the demands of your career as well as your personal life. A poor work-life balance usually involves working excessively at the expense of your personal life. While being passionate about your job can be great, giving too much of your time and energy to work can leave you without time to rest and find joy in other aspects of your life. A poor work-life balance can also hurt your relationships with family and friends. In many cases, a poor work-life balance is a sign of obsession or avoidance rather than passion. You may spend long hours at work to avoid social obligations or time alone with your thoughts, for example.
A good work-life balance can have many benefits, from reducing stress to improving your social life. A good work-life balance can even improve your productivity, as you’re more likely to be fully engaged in work when you’re on the clock.
3 tips for keeping a good work-life balance
- Set clear boundaries — Do you feel like work tends to eat up your free time? Setting clear boundaries between work time and personal time is important. Without these boundaries, you may find yourself working at odd hours throughout the day. If you commute to work, you can use your commute as a period of time to intentionally shift your mindset. On your way home, try to clear your mind of job-related duties and focus instead on your personal life. Setting these boundaries is sometimes more difficult for people who work remotely, but it’s still achievable. If you work from home, try to set aside a dedicated workspace in your home. When you enter this space, think of yourself as being at work. When you leave this space, try to mentally “clock out” at the same time. Associating a certain space with work tasks can help your brain accommodate to your boundaries. Setting alarms for the end of your shift can also help you maintain a consistent schedule, helping you avoid late nights.
- Schedule breaks — Feeling burnt out and exhausted after each shift? The cause could be a lack of breaks. Frequent breaks throughout the workday can be crucial for maintaining mental and physical energy. Breaks don’t always have to be long or especially significant. Even a five-minute walk away from your computer screen can have major benefits. Breaks are a great way to let your brain rest, allowing you to return to work with renewed concentration and a more positive outlook. If you have a hard time remembering to take breaks, you may benefit from using time management tools on your computer or phone.
- Prioritize yourself — People who experience burnout often feel like they’re living just to work. Shifting this live-to-work mindset to a work-to-live mindset can have a significant positive impact on your mental well-being. The difference is that a work-to-live mindset allows you to prioritize yourself and your health. Prioritizing your personal life looks different for everyone. For some, this means saying no more often. While it can be tempting to take on extra work and accept every social invitation, spreading yourself too thin can lead to stress and burnout. Occasionally saying no can help you focus on your main priorities. Prioritizing yourself can also mean taking mental health breaks and seeking treatment when you need it.
Lightfully Behavioral Health can help you find a balance and support you in improving your mental health
Is your job taking a toll on your mental health? Lightfully Behavioral Health can help. With our Precision Care Model (PCM), we can provide evidence-based, whole-person-centered care tailored specifically to your situation and needs. In addition to comprehensive treatment programs, we also offer a free online support group that can give you a space to voice your thoughts and feelings. Regardless of your needs, we can meet you where you are and help you work toward a better future.
Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.
