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Getting the right work-life balance

Chloe_Alumni

National Work Life Week is an opportunity for both employers and employees to focus on wellbeing at work and work life balance. Employers can use the week to provide activities for staff, and to showcase their flexible working policies and practices.

Black and white photo of two people sat in a meeting with their laptops open

Working, especially during a pandemic, can be stressful. The Mental Health Foundation have shared this thought:

The pressure of an increasingly demanding work culture in the UK is perhaps the biggest and most pressing challenge to the mental health of the general population.

Read more: Work-life balance (Mental Health Foundation)

As a disabled employee I believe it to be even more important that I maintain a healthy work-life balance. Yet working from home can make this a little bit more difficult. Once I've finished work I normally will have a lie down and spend some time away from screens.

Here are some of the things I do on an evening and weekend:

Listen to an audiobook
Crochet (currently making a large blanket that's getting slight out of control)
Watch TV
Hot bath
Light a candle
Ring a friend
Cook a favourite meal

Working Families have more information about Work Life Week.

How do you look after your wellbeing? Have you got the right work-life balance? Is there something you'd like to start doing? Let us know in the comments below!

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Comments

Tori_Scope

Really important piece!

I live in a shared house, so I work in my bedroom. As soon as I finish work, I try and go straight downstairs to spend some time in the living room, as I find this helps me to switch into relax mode.

I also try (and often fail) to spend my lunch break away from screens, whether that be through popping out for a walk, or just staring out of the window. I find this gives my eyes a rest, and helps to clear my head too.

I'd be interested in hearing about more tips and experiences from everyone

Geoark

You work, you die, you rest - at least I'm managing to get the first part right

On a more serious note I have never been good at getting the work/life balance correct. Before the lock down I at least had the journey home to wind down before getting home. August and September were particularly exhausting as I was working additional hours during the week and most of the weekends.

I do try and get an hour away from the screen during my lunch break - though here I am. I do find working from home more intense, as I am constantly at the computer when working and definitely spend less time away, either printing, quick chat with a colleague or even a break for one of the many meetings which seem to take place.

Probably doesn't help that I haven't been out since the lock down either.

That said, I love what I do and well paid for doing it. Just seems sometimes that there are other things I would like to do but never seem to have the time, and when I do get the time I am usually exhausted or the back pain means I have to be careful if I don't want it to become a major stumbling blocks for other things. Over all though I am happy with my life as it is.

Chloe_Alumni

It's always great when you enjoy what you are doing @Geoark! I think this makes such a big difference.

Hope you're able to keep taking breaks and have time away from screens.

Geoark

Hi @Chloe_Scope, totally agree that enjoying what you do makes a huge difference.

There is nothing stopping me taking breaks when I want to, unless there is a meeting scheduled. I'm pretty good with my lunch which I usually take around 12. However unless there is a meeting in the afternoon I will often forget to take a break.

Ross_Alumni

How's the crocheting coming along @Chloe_Scope?

Chloe_Alumni

Geoark said:

Hi @Chloe_Scope, totally agree that enjoying what you do makes a huge difference.

There is nothing stopping me taking breaks when I want to, unless there is a meeting scheduled. I'm pretty good with my lunch which I usually take around 12. However unless there is a meeting in the afternoon I will often forget to take a break.

Yeah that makes sense @g@Geoark! I'm glad you're still able to have breaks.

Chloe_Alumni

Ross_Scope said:

How's the crocheting coming along @Chloe_Scope?

@Ross_Scope! I've not picked it up for a few days but hopefully I can do some this weekend.

Ross_Alumni

Chloe_Scope said:

Ross_Scope said:

How's the crocheting coming along @Chloe_Scope?

@Ross_Scope! I've not picked it up for a few days but hopefully I can do some this weekend.

Hopefully, that sounds like a fun, relaxing thing to do on a weekend