Banner image courtesy of Lukas Blazek
It’s easy to let the lines blur between our work and personal lives, and most of the time, our work responsibilities can affect our home lives. Not only does this affect those around us, but it also affects our health and our ability to work effectively.
In order to gain a better work-life balance, you need to understand how to protect your personal time in a busy world.
Understanding the value of personal time
In order to keep working at our best, we need meaningful rest periods. That means taking time for hobbies and spending time with our family and friends. Without this, we don’t get the chance to fully recharge, which can have serious long-term consequences.
For example, stress might continually build until you burn out, affecting your mental and physical health. To avoid these negative consequences, you should set clear boundaries between work and home.
Setting boundaries between work and personal life
One of the best ways to protect your personal time is to set clear, hard boundaries between work and home. While the specifics may depend on the individual, this can include only working during your defined working hours and limiting communication outside of those hours with your colleagues.
While certain jobs may not allow for this level of disconnection, for many, it’s advisable to put these boundaries in place. At the very least, it will mean your home becomes a space you can actively relax in, rather than worrying about work and upcoming deadlines. It also means you can invest more time and energy into your family and hobbies, strengthening your relationships outside of work.
Prioritising self-care and relaxation
Scheduling regular self-care activities like exercise, pursuing hobbies, and simply relaxing can be hugely beneficial to your mental and physical health, as well as your productivity. In fact, taking the time to fully rest and recuperate fuels your resilience and means you’re ready to tackle more difficult challenges at work.
One key way to do this is with a holiday. Any type of break is incredibly beneficial, from a weekend city break to a longer getaway. Taking a holiday and escaping your daily pressures gives you the chance to reset your energy levels, reduce stress, and improve your overall wellbeing.
Taking regular short breaks, for instance, can be key to maintaining a healthy balance even when you return to work.
Social time’s role in personal wellbeing
You don’t always need to take a holiday. Spending time having fun with friends and family can sometimes be enough to help maintain your emotional health. This is especially true if you feel comfortable discussing your work stresses, whether to find a solution to a problem or simply to release pent-up frustration.
As social creatures in a digital age, we often don’t realise how much we need meaningful human interaction, so getting this outside of our workplaces is crucial.