When we think about the hustle of daily life, the importance of a healthy work-life balance often comes to mind. This balance isn’t just about managing time; it’s about maintaining mental health and overall well-being.
Why Is Work-Life Balance Important?
We live in a time where work bleeds into our personal lives, and personal concerns seep into work hours. It’s almost like living in a blurred painting. What does this constant blending do to our minds?
When I first fell victim to mental illness, work was just put aside completely. I showed up everyday because I couldn’t sleep and figured I’d keep that schedule. But I spent the bulk of each day in the restroom having rolling panic attacks. In other words, they came and went likes waves crashing on the shore. I couldn’t keep up with projects and the ones I did turn in were an absolute mess. I could either pay attention to my mental illness or work, but not both at the same time. Often, I was bringing work home to do after my daughter went to bed, but my only calm time during the day was after I took my medications in the evening and just chilled. Losing that balance of work and life led to losing jobs.
Work-life balance is about setting boundaries that protect both our personal time and our work responsibilities. Dr. Sheila Kim, a renowned psychologist, states, “Maintaining clear boundaries not only preserves mental health but also enhances productivity and creativity at work.” Her insight serves as a reminder that boundaries have a tangible impact on our brains.
Effects on Mental Health
When we juggle work and personal life without proper balance, stress becomes our ever-present companion. This imbalance often leads to anxiety, depression, or even burnout. Remember, no one benefits from burning the candle at both ends.
Stress and Anxiety
Picture a tightrope walker. The thin line they’re treading is your balance between work and life. Now imagine unexpected gusts of wind. Stress and anxiety are those winds threatening to knock you off balance. That’s why maintaining this equilibrium is critical.
When we fail to keep our work and personal life in check, our stress levels spike, leading to anxiety. While a little stress might help with deadlines, chronic stress can be a pathway to anxiety disorders, which are harder to manage. I already had enough anxiety in my life at the time of my illness, so losing the work-life balance just compounded the issue.
Burnout: The Silent Epidemic
Burnout is that unwanted guest who overstays their welcome. It’s like running a marathon with no finish line. Burnout depletes our energy, strips away motivation, and leaves us mentally exhausted. This isn’t just about being tired after a long day; it’s a state of chronic exhaustion.
Because I had a young daughter at the time of my battle with mental illness, I knew how to keep a tight schedule and stick to it for her behalf. But after getting sick, burnout was a constant state of mind. I was a single parent and I was the only one who was able to keep that machine going. I lost one job because the work I was producing was just no longer acceptable. After a deep dive with my therapist on what it was I needed from my job and what I was able to give to my job we decided to look for a job that allowed me to work remotely a few days a week. Once I started doing that, the work-life balance just clicked–and it worked perfectly for a few years. I had the privacy to deal with my mental illness during the day and work when I was my most productive.
Strategies for Better Work-Life Balance
Finding balance can be as elusive as hunting for a good Wi-Fi signal, but it’s not impossible. Here are some strategies to achieve a work-life equilibrium.
Set Clear Priorities
Identify what’s important not just in your job but also in your personal life. If you treat every task as urgent, you end up in a frenzy. Knowing your priorities helps in focusing on what truly matters.
Establish Boundaries
Once you know your priorities, set boundaries to protect them. Is it declining an after-hours call or not checking emails on weekends? Boundaries are personal, but they’re essential for protecting your mental space. In my day, texting and emailing for work during the weekends or late at night was really not done. Technology hadn’t caught up yet.
Schedule Downtime
Is your calendar full of meetings? Pencil in downtime, too. Treat it like any other appointment, because recharging is non-negotiable. It’s your mental spa day, even if it’s just for half an hour.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness isn’t just about meditation. It’s about being present wherever you are. If you’re spending time with family, be there mentally, not replaying that work meeting from last week. This practice helps reduce stress and improves concentration.
Don’t hesitate to talk to your employer if you think they’ll meet any needs you may have. Or consider switching to a job that demands less of you mentally. And if you think that work is just a bridge too far, which it became for me, consider applying for disability. Achieving work-life balance is a continuous journey, not a destination. It requires constant adjustment and a deep understanding of one’s boundaries and priorities. In a world that’s always buzzing, taking time to rebalance can be the anchor that keeps us steady.
