Maintaining a Better Work/Life Balance for a Healthier, Happier You
*We may earn a commission for purchases made using our links. Please see our disclosure to learn more.
If you’re a workaholic, you are not alone. According to Reuters via Business Insider, more than half of adults surveyed in a 60 Minutes interview said monitoring emails after work hours was routine. Younger Americans were even more apt to working after hours, with nearly 70 percent of employees under 30 years old saying they stay on top of work issues at home.
Business Insider indicates that money is most likely the motive:
“Americans are definitely workaholics,” Cullen Murphy, editor-at-large for Vanity Fair, said in an interview. “Maybe the overall message of this poll is that there is a kind of bedrock faith in the idea that working hard pays off.”
Most Americans, given the choice when starting a new job, said they would prefer an extra $20,000 rather than four more weeks of vacation. Only 32 percent would opt for the extra time.
Sixty three percent of U.S. workers said they would choose getting paid for leftover sick days, rather than having time off for them.
Even if you’re yearning for more money in your wallet, one thing remains certain—having a life outside of your job can make you feel happier, even while at work.
But how can you find the ultimate work/life balance and finally reach a state of nirvana in your life?
Don’t Work Unnecessary Overtime
Working overtime might equal higher pay, but at what cost? Staying productive for long periods of time can be exhausting, not to mention impossible if your job requires a lot of focus. According to a study from World Economic Forum, working fewer hours can actually increase your productivity and help you accomplish more tasks. The study concluded that once you hit 48 hours per week or higher, your productivity levels will likely drop.
Not only can working fewer hours enhance work performance, but it will also allow you to spend more time with family.
Stick to a Schedule
While there is nothing wrong with being spontaneous, scheduling your time can force you to take off work for the day and participate in activities that you enjoy. When the clock strikes 5, tend to your other tasks as if they’re just important as work—whether it’s playtime with your kids or an overdue trip to the gym.
Turn an After-Work Time Crunch into Family Time
Sometimes saying no can add hours onto your day. When you’re racing home and you’re tempting to swing by the fast food burger joint, think twice.
Instead of grabbing takeout for dinner, make it a family event to cook dinner together. Involve the whole family and don’t beat yourself up about the food—even though good nutrition is always advised, remember this is also about taking it easy and enjoying your time off.
Don’t Put off Chores Until the Weekend
Carve out time after work to get a few chores finished. When you break your cleaning to-do list into bite-sized pieces throughout the week, you don’t need to spend your whole Sunday cleaning your house from top to bottom. This frees up more time on the weekend—and who doesn’t want an extra couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon?
Best Life Hub is dedicated to helping you achieve the ultimate work-life balance. Continue to follow our blog for more tips to add balance to your life.