Check your work-life balance to prevent burnout

A shift in working habits since the start of the pandemic is impacting work-life balance and could be contributing to greater risk of burnout.

Reassessing how we manage demands in our daily routines can make a significant difference to quality of both life and work.

‘Sticking to a fixed schedule has become more difficult than ever, perhaps even more so for working parents and people working from home,’ said occupational therapist Lauren Leyman.

‘A 24-hour weekday should ideally be made up of roughly eight hours each for working, sleeping, and private time, which would include family responsibilities, rest, and leisure.

‘This ‘ideal’ balance is not always possible, and at times we need to be flexible with a few hours of overtime for urgent work priorities. This should be the exception, however, not the rule.’

High expectations

‘Over the last two years a pattern has emerged where productivity expectations seem to be higher than ever, which shows no sign of abating,’ said Leyman.

‘While work demands may be intense, it is often the pressure employees put themselves under that may alter work-life balance.

‘This has given rise to an ‘always on’ trend which persists in many workplaces, even among those not working from home.

‘The technology and online platforms many people use for work can be convenient for keeping in touch with colleagues and cutting down on travel time, allowing us to pack more meetings into the day – but this can be intrusive after working hours and set a pace that is unrealistic and unsustainable.’

Setting boundaries

Leyman said work demands are intense, with individuals placing more pressure on themselves than is required.

‘If you feel you cannot even find time for a quick tea break, bear in mind it is simply not humanly possible to maintain good concentration solidly for eight or nine hours without rest.

‘Taking a short mental health break will help keep you more productive throughout the day,’ she recommended.
When the workday has ended, people often tend to take their work home both physically and emotionally. Actively working overtime and processing the demands of the day can intrude on personal time.

‘Set boundaries for yourself on how you manage your time, and define a cut-off point for work because there will always be priorities no matter how much extra time you put in,’ suggested Leyman.

‘If a healthy work-life balance is not restored in time, and a person is unable to replenish themselves sufficiently, there can be consequences on mental and physical health.’

The need to decompress

Although working from home has allowed employees some flexibility, one advantage of commuting is that it offers a clear divide between work and home, and the time to decompress and evaluate the day.

‘After a full day’s work, it is common to experience depleted emotional energy levels. After logging off at work, we would all like to start relaxing but usually there are domestic tasks to be attended to first, such as preparing meals.’

Leyman suggested taking a little time, if possible, after work, when you are not expected to be busy with anything else, to refresh your mind before transitioning into domestic life.

Parents face extra demands

She pointed out that parents often face additional demands, as parenting is a full-time job in itself.

‘Working parents may feel worn out by the time they get home, but this is often when parenting time begins.

‘There may be homework to oversee, preparations for school the next day, and bath time. While you might be physically present for your family, it is just as important to be emotionally present too.

‘By the time there is a chance to relax, parents may be so exhausted that they have no resources left for nurturing their personal lives and making the most of any spare time left before going to bed.’

We are not meant to only work and sleep

‘When a person is approaching burnout, often the first thing to fall away is a sense of enjoyment. As human beings, we are not meant to only work and sleep. Don’t forget, you need to enjoy yourself and invest time in your relationships.

‘Couples may sit together watching a series or scrolling through their phones but lead very separate lives. Spending time together should be about sharing and relating to each other, but often people at risk of burnout feel too exhausted to be fully present, and this could be a sign that it is time to reassess your work-life balance,’ Leyman advised.

‘Leisure time is vital for recharging our emotional energy, and is necessary to be at our best for both work and family.

‘All too often, it is only when people are burnt out to the point where they are no longer able to function in their working or home lives, that they reach out for professional support.’

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

WhatsApp – 060 784 2695

Instagram – zululand_observer