{"id":430,"date":"2022-09-22T10:25:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-22T10:25:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-09-05T00:13:02","modified_gmt":"2023-09-04T16:13:02","slug":"5-reasons-that-prove-the-importanc-of-work-life-balance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/5-reasons-that-prove-the-importanc-of-work-life-balance\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Reasons That Prove The Importance of Work Life Balance"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The importance of work life balance has always been emphasized in the media, and even quite often from your peers. You may also have heard the concept of work life balance being conveyed by your HR personnel or team leaders at work. That\u2019s not surprising, because maintaining a healthy work life balance is not just good for your holistic health and relationships, but <a target=\"_new0.4162740571575929\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7120033\/\&quot;" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">studies show<\/a> it also boosts employee performance and productivity. After all, happier employees feel that work isn\u2019t a chore, and they don\u2019t feel trapped in their work.<\/p>\n<p>When employees have work life balance, it boosts morale. They feel more satisfied and more motivated to work, making fewer mistakes along the way, typically with improved productivity.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, those who are content with their work life balance feel present at the moment. They better compartmentalize personal and professional life, giving them time for their families and passions. However, some workers may assert that work life balance is some sort of an elusive dream. Although they understand the importance of work life balance, it\u2019s hard to find time to achieve it. The combined pressures of a job, family responsibilities, community obligations, finding time for hobbies, etc., can make it tough for an individual to juggle everything.<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, balancing a happy home life with a fast-paced or challenging career could be very difficult to master, especially if you have a demanding boss or children that need a lot of attention. And the stress could be compounded by a high cost of living and burgeoning bills. But bear in mind that although achieving work life balance may be tough, it is not impossible.<\/p>\n<p>Learning the importance of work life balance and why you ought to make it a priority helps you avoid <a target=\"_new0.4162740571575929\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/circledna.com\/blog\/how-the-pandemic-contributed-to-burnout\/\&quot;" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">burnout<\/a> and promotes long-term happiness. Getting clear on the reasons for the importance of work life balance is key to creating a balanced life that you genuinely enjoy.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/circledna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/content_images_assets.prenetics.com_blog.circledna.com_wp-content_uploads_2022_09_24061849_less-stress.jpg\"><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"1-understanding-the-importance-of-work-life-balance-could-mean-less-stress\">1. Understanding the Importance of Work Life Balance Could Mean Less Stress<\/h2>\n<p>According to the World Health Organization, <a target=\"_new0.4162740571575929\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.who.int\/news\/item\/16-09-2021-who-ilo-almost-2-million-people-die-from-work-related-causes-each-year\&quot;" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">almost 2 million people<\/a> around the globe die from work-related stress every year. Furthermore, many working adults attest that their occupation is a source of stress. The biggest problem with this is that most people feel that they don\u2019t have a choice because they need to work for income to pay for daily necessities and wants.<\/p>\n<p>But here\u2019s the thing: you have a choice. Work life balance is ultimately achieved through the choices you make and your mindset. Your job could be causing you stress because you\u2019ve programmed your mind to think negatively about it. As a result, a negative mindset attracts the same forces into your life like mean co-workers or stressful work projects since the <a target=\"_new0.4162740571575929\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/circledna.com\/blog\/an-overview-of-law-of-attraction\/\&quot;" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">law of attraction<\/a> purports life attracts like. If you\u2019re determined to change that, you must instill the importance of work life balance in your mind and make striving for equilibrium a priority. Look at all the blessings that your job brings you. Only then can you be truly happy and feel positive with all the aspects of your life.<\/p>\n<p>Understanding the importance of work life balance helps you acknowledge that you cannot do it all and be okay with that. You cut yourself slack and make room for mistakes because you\u2019re only human. For example, in the past, you may have agreed to take on more work even if you\u2019re not capable, which creates more stress. So if you wish to relieve work pressure and anxiety, remember the importance of work life balance and tweak your responses. You could start by doing the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Learning to say no sometimes.<\/li>\n<li>Delegating work to others.<\/li>\n<li>Prioritizing certain tasks and letting go of non-priorities.<\/li>\n<li>Choosing your well-being first.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When you follow these tips, you may end up having a more manageable workload and free up time to do other things that matter to you, like attending your kid\u2019s baseball practice or engaging in a new hobby. The end result is decreasing your work stress and anxiety levels. Setting these boundaries could be tough in the beginning and saying no to people may feel hard. But remember that spreading yourself too thin isn\u2019t going to help you or your boss (if you have one). Choosing yourself and your happiness means finding more room for positivity in all aspects of your life.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/circledna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/content_images_assets.prenetics.com_blog.circledna.com_wp-content_uploads_2022_09_24123942_circlemagazine-circledna-physical-health.jpg\"><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"2-imbibing-work-life-balance-could-result-in-better-physical-health\">2. Imbibing Work Life Balance Could Result in Better Physical Health<\/h2>\n<p>The primary problem of having a demanding career in this modern world is you\u2019re mostly chained to your office desk. Whether you\u2019re an employee or a freelance writer\/ graphic designer, you\u2019re glued to your chair, staring at your computer for the most of the day. And at night, you could continue this sedentary behavior by sitting on the couch watching TV because you\u2019re too tired to move. You may unwind by drinking a glass of bubbly and watching Netflix.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, human beings are not programmed to sit all day and stay cooped up indoors. You\u2019re supposed to stand up, move around, and explore the world. <a target=\"_new0.4162740571575929\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7700832\/\&quot;" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Research affirms<\/a> that a sedentary lifestyle shortens longevity and increases risk of the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cardiovascular diseases<\/li>\n<li>Diabetes<\/li>\n<li>Hypertension<\/li>\n<li>Several kinds of cancers<\/li>\n<li>Depression and anxiety<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Knowing the importance of work life balance means prioritizing things that take care of your physical health. That\u2019s because you understand that how you work and live has an impact on your one and only body. Once you\u2019ve internalized that, you can make an effort to <a target=\"_new0.4162740571575929\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/circledna.com\/blog\/meal-prep-ideas-from-nutritionists\/\&quot;" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">prepare healthy meals<\/a>, reduce alcohol intake, sleep early, and make time for regular exercise. You may also try to squeeze in outdoor activities as this generates endorphins, aka the happy hormones, which could make you feel more energetic and give you a positive outlook on life.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"3-better-work-life-balance-improves-mental-health\">3. Better Work Life Balance Improves Mental Health<\/h2>\n<p>Learning the importance of work life balance is vital because it relates to your mental health. If you feel balanced and grounded, you are less likely to have as many <a target=\"_new0.4162740571575929\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/circledna.com\/blog\/8-tips-for-challenging-negative-thoughts\/\&quot;" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">negative thoughts<\/a> throughout the day. The brain is not supposed to feel pressure all the time. If it feels incessant stress, you\u2019re more likely to feel mental fatigue, anxiety, and depression. However, when you strive hard to achieve balance, you give yourself and your mind more breathing room.<\/p>\n<p>This space is good for you because it promotes self-awareness. It helps you become more attuned to your values, beliefs, and thoughts so you can deal with them or channel them in a healthy manner. This allows you to make more informed choices that you\u2019re happy with. Mindful meditations, other breathing exercises, and even writing in a journal can help improve this self awareness and promote better thought processes.<\/p>\n<p>Knowing the importance of work life balance is crucial, especially if you\u2019re guilty of blurring the lines between personal and professional life. This <a target=\"_new0.4162740571575929\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/circledna.com\/blog\/your-guide-to-setting-healthy-boundaries\/\&quot;" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">boundary<\/a> may even be harder to achieve for self-employed people who run their own businesses. They can\u2019t help but worry about their companies. They constantly get emails, SMS, or calls after office hours, which they can\u2019t seem to ignore even if all those issues will still be there in the morning. If you\u2019re in this situation, try these tips:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Set a work schedule for yourself and make it non-negotiable.<\/li>\n<li>Use your phone\u2019s \u201cdo not disturb\u201d function to filter out certain calls and texts.<\/li>\n<li>Create an auto-reply email to settle queries after work hours.<\/li>\n<li>Make your team aware that you\u2019re not taking inquiries after certain hours.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you want to foster work life balance, discipline is essential. You can achieve a rewarding work life without compromising the quality time for family and other endeavors. It all starts and ends with you, because you are in control.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"4-striving-for-work-life-balance-could-help-foster-healthier-relationships\">4. Striving For Work Life Balance Could Help Foster Healthier Relationships<\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019re working too much, this means you consume time meant for other things. Hence, you could be spending less time with your loved ones, community, and passions. This means you have less quality time for the people and things that matter to you. After all, it\u2019s very hard to be fully present in the moment and give others your undivided attention when you feel exhausted from working too much.<\/p>\n<p>However, some may say this work life balance concept is easier said than done. For instance, some freelancers tend to work around the clock. They may have clients in varying time zones, so they may not have a set 9 to 5 work schedule. If this is the case, achieving work life balance could be tricky but still doable. Creating a professional and personal schedule can help, as this ensures you have time to take care of all your needs. <a target=\"_new0.4162740571575929\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/circledna.com\/blog\/how-to-create-a-self-care-planner\/\&quot;" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Making a self-care planner<\/a> can help manage time for passions and personal pursuits.<\/p>\n<p>When you know the importance of work life balance, you get to spend more quality time with family and friends. This will do wonders for your relationship because you get to foster bonds and make memories. <a target=\"_new0.4162740571575929\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5598782\/\&quot;" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Studies show<\/a> that human beings have a fundamental need for human attachment and belonging. Connecting with people is a human instinct, so making time to nurture your relationships could provide a deeper sense of fulfillment and happiness. Moreover, there could be a ripple effect when you satisfy this area of your life. If you feel happy about your personal life, you\u2019re likely to feel content with your career and even work relationships.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"5-achieving-work-life-balance-could-promote-happiness-and-satisfaction\">5. Achieving Work Life Balance Could Promote Happiness and Satisfaction<\/h2>\n<p>When you feel good about the state of your work life balance, you feel happier and more satisfied. These feelings pump you up and motivate you to perform better at work, and also in other areas of your life. This increased work engagement and improved connections with others can boost your morale and make you more productive overall.<\/p>\n<p>Achieving a balanced state is very rewarding and it makes you feel good about yourself. It helps you take the reins and control your own life, including your career path.<\/p>\n<p>When you\u2019ve fully internalized the importance of work life balance, you create a fruitful and successful life on your own terms by prioritizing what\u2019s important to you and ensuring your wellness. That\u2019s because you know that you\u2019re able to serve others to the best of your ability when you\u2019re genuinely happy about your life, even if it is not perfect.<\/p>\n<p>When work stress isn\u2019t impacting you as much, you\u2019re less likely to snap at your loved ones or take out work stress on them. You\u2019ll likely end up with healthier relationships if you successfully improve your work life balance.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re determined to create a blanched lifestyle to become a more rounded and well-adjusted individual, try the suggested tips mentioned above. You can take a <a target=\"_new0.4162740571575929\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/circledna.com\/premium?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=&amp;utm_format=&amp;utm_creator=&amp;utm_content=5-reasons-that-prove-the-importanc-of-work-life-balance\&quot;" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CircleDNA<\/a> test to find out some DNA insights that give you clues into what type of career might suit you best, based on your DNA.<\/p>\n<p><strong>References:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Are Happy Workers More Productive? The Mediating Role of Service-Skill Use (Andres Salas Valina et.al.) <a target=\"_new0.4162740571575929\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7120033\/\&quot;" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7120033\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Almost 2 Million People Die From Work-Related Causes Each Year (World Health Organization) <a target=\"_new0.4162740571575929\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.who.int\/news\/item\/16-09-2021-who-ilo-almost-2-million-people-die-from-work-related-causes-each-year\&quot;" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.who.int\/news\/item\/16-09-2021-who-ilo-almost-2-million-people-die-from-work-related-causes-each-year<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Sedentary Lifestyle: Overview of Updated Evidence of Potential Health Risks (Jung Ha Park et.al.) <a target=\"_new0.4162740571575929\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7700832\/\&quot;" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7700832\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Interpersonal Mechanisms Linking Close Relationships to Health (Paula Pietromonaco and Nancy Collins) https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5598782\/<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The importance of work life balance has always been emphasized in the media, and even quite often from your peers. You may also have heard the concept&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":3009,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29,3],"tags":[5013,8180,503,504,8090,4781,708,8470,4441,4973,5015,4451,49,4389,4325,4387,419],"class_list":["post-430","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-preventive-health","category-wellness","tag-balance","tag-business","tag-family-relationship","tag-health-and-wellness","tag-hobbies","tag-importance","tag-life","tag-news","tag-preventive","tag-preventive-health","tag-prove","tag-reasons","tag-teeth-grinding-en","tag-that","tag-the","tag-wellness","tag-work-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/430","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=430"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/430\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5894,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/430\/revisions\/5894"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3009"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=430"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=430"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=430"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}