Employee burnout and stress are the two biggest concerns that employees around the globe are facing of late. One would think that working from home gives employees multiple benefits but that may not always be true.
So, what does work and home life balance actually mean? It means that one feels fulfilled at one’s job but one also makes time to enjoy the other facets of life. Employees and business owners often take pride in calling themselves ‘workaholics’ but being one has many downsides to it too.
Here are a few consequences of focusing only on work-
- Mental Exhaustion– Lack of proper sleep leads to mental exhaustion and that could have a huge impact on one’s productivity at the workplace. People are more likely to make bigger mistakes when they are mentally stressed and tired.
- Physical Fatigue– When the mind is tired, the body is likely to feel stressed too. People who barely get any sleep will often not be in a position to work out and stay fit either. Being physically unfit may result in other stress related disorders like diabetes, hypertension and obesity.
- Lower Socialising– When work is the priority, other commitments like family functions and special occasions tend to take a backseat. This can have a direct impact on relationships too.
- Social Media Time– People who aren’t active socially and prefer to be alone also tend to spend more time in a virtual world- this means that they may also be more concerned about their online image than their real one.
- Tendency To Addictions– The tendency to become addicted to alcohol or substance abuse is higher among workaholics. This is because they may turn to external stimulants in order to keep their energy levels up and to perform better at work.
Here’s What You Can Do At The Workplace
Your job may be stressful, but there are some important steps that you can take which can help you manage the stress better:
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Hire Good People
Hiring competent staff at the workplace reduces stress automatically. That is because more work gets done faster and productivity is higher when the right people are hired for a job role. Delegation is also an important part of reducing work related stress.
Set Up Schedules
You will feel less stressed if you plan a schedule for the week ahead because that way you know exactly what to look forward to at work. Setting up meetings and tracking work progress is easier when there’s a proper structure in place.
Learn To Say No
If you feel that you are taking up more work than you can actually handle just to score a few brownie points with the boss, then it’s time to say NO. Saying no to a task or a job because you are already busy does not mean that you are weak, it shows you care about you.
Track Your Time
Studies show that employees tend to waste quite a bit of time on social media even while at work. Checking the mobile phone for text messages and emails frequently is also a waste of time. Analyse where you might be wasting precious time and minimise that.
Take Breaks
You are not required to sit at your desk all day to show your team that you are working. Taking a walk and stretching your legs or taking a small power nap at your desk, will rejuvenate you.
Deal With Stress
Do a quick search on Google and you’ll find plenty of easy to practice tips on how to reduce stress. It could be something as small as keeping a potted plant on your desk or a stress ball in your drawer. Find out what works for you and do that every day.
Consider Work Hour Flexibility
If your office offers flexible working hours then it may be a good thing to consider it. Team related tasks such as job sharing and schedule flexibility will also help you optimise your hours at work better.
Take Mini Vacations
All employees are entitled to sick leave and casual leave. Instead of accumulating your holidays so that they can be encashed, take a weekend break or a trip for one week. Make sure you inform your team and handover responsibilities before leaving.
Leave On Time
Staying late at the workplace occasionally is one thing but doing it often is a mistake. There’s a tendency to dump more work on night owls than on employees who leave on time. Detaching yourself from work is important for your well-being.
Here’s What You Can Do At Home
Spending time meaningfully at home helps to rejuvenate oneself inside out. Here are a few tips you can practice to achieve better work and home life balance-
Find A Hobby
Science shows that every time we make the effort to learn something new, neurons are formed in the brain which actually make us smarter. Making time for the little things in life such as reading a book, painting, cooking etc helps us relax.
Working Out
Staying fit mentally and physically is crucial for your well-being. If you aren’t into strenuous activities, why not use your time to learn something new? Try yoga to calm yourself, kickboxing if you want a sweaty workout or swimming if water relaxes you. If you’re too tired to try anything after getting back home, then a walk around the neighbourhood is a great idea too.
Join A Class
Man is a social being and you are likely to stick to something new if you are doing it as a part of a group. Plus, you’ll also get to meet new people, make new friends, discover new interests and feel happier.
Socialise With Your Inner Circle
Spending time with loved ones and friends is important because socialising helps to build better and stronger relationships. Don’t take the small things like a birthday party or a get together to celebrate an occasion for granted.
Raise A Pet
Pet owners are not only more responsible members of the community but have also lower stress levels. If looking after a dog or a cat seems tiresome to you, then how about a bird or a fish? Taking care of another living being also increases empathy.
Volunteering
Volunteering for a noble cause that benefits your community is a great way to give back. It helps to improve overall communication, leads to more happiness and builds better relationships. Make time for whichever cause you support as it gives you multiple benefits.
Ask For Help
Do you feel overwhelmed after you get back home? Does the sight of dirty dishes in the sink make you want to scream? That’s why having a strong support system is so important for one’s mental well-being. Ask your friends and family members for help if you feel you need it.
Less Screen Time
Make a real effort not to check your work phone or emails when you are at home. You need to become mentally detached from work in order to feel relaxed. Constantly checking the inbox leads to more anxiety.
Plan Family Activities
A family that plans activities together stays together. Make it a habit to do at least 2 activities a week together- it could be making a meal together or playing a board game.
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