[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Improving work-life balance often comes down to setting boundaries, managing time more efficiently and
prioritizing your personal needs. It looks different than it did pre-pandemic, with the ensuing rise of remote work. Remote work has created an entirely new generation of employees, breaking down geographical boundaries, increasing the talent pool and creating opportunities for workers who previously found working in an office challenging.
It’s a trend that doesn’t seem to be going away. The future of remote work seems promising. According to Upwork, by 2025, an estimated 32.6 million Americans will be working remotely, which equates to about 22 percent of the workforce. This suggests a continuous, yet gradual, shift towards remote work arrangements.
And people who can work remotely want to. A
Pew Research Center survey from 2023 found that 35 percent of workers whose jobs can be done remotely are working from home all the time in 2023. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, workers who could opt for remote work was at 7 percent. Working where you live and living where you work can certainly make the distinction between work and home life challenging. And even if you still work at an office regularly, work might still follow you home, thanks to the smartphones and apps that make it possible to stay connected anytime, anywhere.
So how do you know when you have achieved optimal work-life balance? The goal is to live in a way that you feel productive but not burned out. You want to be able to feel satisfied and resourced in more than one sphere of your life. It’s different from person to person—and you get to define what a healthy work-life balance looks like for you.
Here are some practical steps for fine tuning the balance.
Strategies to improve your work-life balance
Firm up your boundaries
Work is everywhere, which sounds like a good thing. It’s not. For most people, it’s work that creeps into personal time, not the other way around. Balance implies reciprocity. If personal time can’t encroach on work time, but work time can consume your personal life, then something needs to shift.
- Define work hours: Try to set clear start and end times for work each day, even if you're working from home. Communicate these hours to your colleagues so they know when you’re available and when you’re offline.
- Have predictable time off. That way you can make reliable plans for your evenings. You need to be able to not be available 24/7 so you can walk your dog, take an exercise class, cook a healthy dinner.
- Turn off notifications: Once your workday ends, consider turning off email or work app notifications, especially on personal devices, to truly disconnect.
- Say no as necessary: Learning to say no to additional work or personal obligations can help you avoid overcommitting.
Prioritize, collaborate, delegate
Allow time to take a long view of your work projects and figure out which projects are the most pressing.
- Put your heads together: Are there people you could team up with to make the project have more scope and be more enjoyable?
- Identify high-impact tasks: Focus on tasks that provide the most value and make a big impact. This prevents you from being bogged down with low-priority items.
- Delegate where possible: If you’re a manager or part of a team, trust others to handle some tasks. Delegation can be hard, especially for perfectionists, but it’s essential to not becoming overwhelmed.
Your new BFF: Time management techniques
It’s tempting to fritter away time by getting lost in the perma-scroll. If you have a plan of how to break up the day into chunks, and specific goals for each day, week and month, it might be easier to stay on track.
- Try time blocking: Dedicate blocks of time to specific tasks and take short breaks in between. This can increase productivity and help prevent burnout.
- Use a to-do List: Organize your tasks by priority each day, focusing on a realistic list you can complete.
- Set small break goals: Take short breaks to stretch, walk or just breathe deeply—this helps with mental clarity.
- Don’t get caught in the grind: If you have amassed time off, use it. Take a vacation somewhere or a staycation. Vacations serve an important purpose—to rest deeply and rejuvenate.
Factor in you-time
Whether it’s exercise,
hobbies or time with family, block out time for yourself just as you would a meeting. Prioritize these activities to keep energy and spirits up. Daily, carve out some time—as little as 10 to 15 minutes—during the workday. It can be something as simple as allowing a little time to relax on the couch, getting in a quick workout like a walk around the block or the office on your lunch break, 15 minutes of
meditation or any activity that you know makes you feel better.
- Practice mindfulness: Meditation, journaling or deep breathing can help you process stress and clear your mind. Even a few minutes daily can have a big effect.
Elevate your workspace
A comfortable, designated workspace can make work feel more contained, boost your mood and focus and help with mental separation if you are remote.
- Natural light: Position your desk near a window if possible. Natural light boosts mood and reduces eye strain.
- Clear visual boundaries: If possible, create a space that you only use for work. If that's not feasible, try to clear away work items after the day ends to signal the end of work hours.
- Plants: Adding a few small plants can improve air quality and bring a calming touch to your space.
- Artwork and photos: Decorate with art or photos that spark joy. Avoid clutter, but a few meaningful pieces can add warmth. Experiment with touches of color that can make your feel brighter or more relaxed.
- Aroma and sound: A subtle essential oil diffuser or a small white noise machine can make your workspace more pleasant.
Consider your options
Talk to your manager about flexible hours or work-from-home days if they are options. Working in a way that suits your personal rhythm can increase productivity and satisfaction. Each person’s work-life balance is unique, so the key is experimenting and adjusting these ideas to find what works best for you![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" gap="35"][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="179789" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1731707808374{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/vital-nutrients-cortisol-balance-full-spectrum-vegan-formula-adrenal-function-cortisol-balance"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="179786" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1731707823006{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/gaia-herbs-emotional-balance"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="179787" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1731707838109{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/himalaya-hello-calm-mind"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
