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Work-life balance: Tips to reclaim control
When your work life and personal life are out of balance, your stress level is likely to soar. Use these practical strategies to restore harmony.
By Mayo Clinic staffThere was a time when the boundaries between work and home were fairly clear. Today, however, work is likely to invade your personal life — and maintaining work-life balance is no simple task. Still, work-life balance isn't out of reach. Start by evaluating your relationship to work. Then apply specific strategies to help you strike a healthier balance.
Married to your work? Consider the cost
It can be tempting to rack up hours at work, especially if you're trying to earn a promotion or manage an ever-increasing workload. Sometimes overtime may even be required. If you're spending most of your time working, though, your home life will take a hit. Consider the consequences of poor work-life balance:
- Fatigue. When you're tired, your ability to work productively and think clearly may suffer — which could take a toll on your professional reputation or lead to dangerous or costly mistakes.
- Lost time with friends and loved ones. If you're working too much, you may miss important family events or milestones. This can leave you feeling left out and may harm relationships with your loved ones. It's also difficult to nurture friendships if you're always working.
- Increased expectations. If you regularly work extra hours, you may be given more responsibility. This may lead to only more concerns and challenges.
(1 of 2)
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- Hammig O, et al. Work-life conflict and associations with work- and nonwork-related factors and with physical and mental health outcomes: A nationally representative cross-sectional study in Switzerland. BMC Public Health. 2009;9:435.
- Riba MB, et al. Life as a balance beam: Practical ideas for balancing work and home. American Psychiatry. 2007;31:135.
- Tips from practitioners on finding work-life balance. American Psychological Association. http://www.apapracticecentral.org/ce/self-care/balance.aspx. Accessed Jan. 25, 2010.
- Henrikson M. Work-life balance: Is there such a thing? Nursing for Women's Health. 2009;13:151.
- Roth L, et al. Work-family conflicts and work performance. Psychological Reports. 2009;105:80.
- Valcour M. Work-based resources as moderators of the relationship between work hours and satisfaction with work-family balance. Journal of Applied Psychology. 2007;92:1512.
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