7 Signs You Have An Unhealthy Work Life Balance

The perfect work life balance is something we all strive to achieve but the reality is murky, and seemingly impossible!

Unfortunately, a lot of us are so used to being stressed with a “live for the weekend” mentality, that we rarely notice the signs of an unhealthy work-life balance emerging. Regardless of whether you’re working remotely or in the office, the health implications of overworking yourself are pretty morbid. So here are some tips to stay on top of your wellbeing before it’s too late.

Common Signs Of An Unhealthy Work Life Balance

A work-life balance (or lack thereof) can cause problems not just to your health, but for your relationships and mental wellbeing, too. These are the top 7 signs of an healthy work-life balance:

• Greater levels of irritability and frustration
• Feeling physically run down 
• Fatigue (despite having 7+ hours of sleep)
• Lacking motivation
• Reduced attention to self-care
• Restlessness
• Overwhelmed with small or big tasks

The most common sign that you have an unhealthy work-life balance (or workaholic tendencies) is the lack of self-care. I don’t mean putting a face mask on for #selfcaresunday – it’s a bit more subtle. You might have stopped exercising or struggled to get into a routine, dreading early mornings or staying up too late. Perhaps you’ve neglected your meal prep, and are now surviving off breakfast bars and fast food. We’ve all been there.

Stress is a very secret killer, the adrenaline is almost addictive and propels you to keep hustling. It might not seem like you’re overworked; your body may have even got used to this feeling. But over time, it can lead to burnout, or worse, depression. So it’s about time you start prioritising your health and wellbeing. After all, you really do only have one life, don’t waste it.

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Tips For A Healthy Work-Life Balance

A lot of research shows that having a healthier work-life balance leads to increased productivity levels, more motivation to work, feeling happier and even taking less sick days! Also, just remember that being stressed will often make you gain weight as well! So don’t let yourself get stressed and lose that stress weight!

One recent US study found that improving work-life balance wasn’t a huge feat; it starts with small changes on a personal and organisational basis. So here are just a few simple things you can do to reclaim your life.

1. Take breaks – However stressful your job is, or however close the deadline, there’s always time for a break. Even if it’s just 5 minutes to grab a cuppa or a scream into a pillow, give yourself a chance to reset. Practise breathing exercises or meditation to ground yourself to the present moment.
   
2. Focus on what you can control – A wise man once said to me: “it’s just a job”. And it’s true. You have control over the task, but never the outcome. So stick to what you can do, and leave the rest in the hands of the work gods.
   
3. Set boundaries – This is essential for those working from home – you need to set boundaries. If you finish at 5pm, close the laptop, mute your phone and avoid looking at emails before bed. It’s tomorrow’s problem! Also, work in a different room to where you sleep;  if this isn’t possible then take a walk during the day. It’s easy for the lines to get blurred, so learn how to physically and mentally switch off. 
   
4. Make time for hobbies – Whether you like cooking, exercising or playing an instrument, block out time to do what you love. Even if it’s just for 30 minutes, you’ll feel like you’ve done something other than just work, which makes you feel productive and happy. You could even treat yourself to some self care – a relaxing massage, or spa day perhaps.
   
5. Seek support from friends or colleagues – If you do feel overwhelmed or stressed at work, speak to someone you trust. It’s important to acknowledge your wellbeing and explain to colleagues that you need extra support. They might grant you a few days off work or give you help on a project. Always speak to your HR advisors to put a plan in place and advocate for change.
   
6. Go and socialise – Try and get a date in the diary to meet up with a friend or call them on your lunch break. Humans are naturally social beings, so it’s important to keep in touch with people you love to feel connected to the world, and therefore, yourself. This increases your levels of dopamine (happy chemicals) giving you a burst of energy. 
   
7. Quality, not quantity – Since working remotely, many people found that they were working a lot harder. Indeed, without the regular kitchen catch-ups or gossip by the water cooler, it probably is easier to knuckle down. The problem is, just because you’re working a 12 hour day doesn’t mean it’s the most productive use of time. You can still achieve enough in 2 hours without distractions, which also keeps burnout at bay.
   
8. Improve time management – Start to prioritise important tasks both for work and personal life. Block out time in your calendar to allow yourself to complete set tasks, from answering emails or slack messages to writing a report. Avoid multitasking or overcommitting yourself – this is counterintuitive and leads to lower productivity levels.
   
9. Learn to say NO! – You are a natural hard worker and probably very conscientious, but sometimes you have to say no. Feeling overburdened and then adding more to your plate will end in tears or bad mistakes, trust me. Practise the phrase: “I haven’t got time for this right now, thanks for understanding”. This doesn’t make you unreliable or a disappointment; instead you’ll be more respected for your transparency. 

From An Unhealthy Work-Life Balance To Employee Of The Year!

After reading this you might have started to psycho-analyse yourself for any signs of an unhealthy work-life balance. Do not stress (yet). First thing’s first: speak to a professional. They are likely to help you spot the signs and create some actionable steps for you to follow. Secondly, speak to your superiors at work. Your health and wellbeing is a priority; it is constructive for them to help you in order to save costs on employee turnover. 

To make a start on improving your work-life balance, follow the tips above and remember that you can achieve harmony. Give yourself permission to make changes and start living your life to the max.

Do you think you have an unhealthy work-life balance? How would you break your unhealthy habit when it comes to work?

Guest Post by Naida Allen

Naida is a witty wordsmith with a love for writing and reading. She is a Content Writer and Social Media Executive at Tutor House — the top UK provider of online and in-person tuition. She specialises in topics relating to mental & physical wellbeing and career advice.