Work-Life Imbalances: Why does the problem exist?

 

: Work/life imbalance is formed when there is an instability of the body and/or mind, which many times, leads to stress. Stress can have many negative effects on work/life quality and is essentially the root cause of work/life imbalance. Dealing with stress is sometimes difficult. The following are a few ways you can help plan for stress using proactive methods. 

1. Use Relaxation Techniques

Abdominal breathing and meditation are especially helpful in emotional calming

2. Engage in Time Management 

Because a general feeling of being out of time can be a big source of stress, time management techniques before and during stress can be helpful (Jex & Elaqua, 1999)

3. Exercise

Exercising not only keeps your heart strong and resistant to the effects of stress, but it can also help reduce your stress levels during particular stressful moments.

4. Get enough rest 

Studies show that sleep deprivation or lack of sleep can cause negative behavior such as irritability, fatigue, and lack of concentration and even depression.

5. Engage with a Support Network

Studies show that people who have someone to talk to, like a family member or friend, or better able to manage their stress.

Share some ways you can use productive methods to prevent work/life imbalance

Work-Life Balance: How does it affect Educators and Community Leaders

Educators and Community Leaders often enter the profession because they hope to change lives. Still, they often find that there are obstacles in their path, and the expectations they face can seem impossible to live up to. Finding the sweet spot between achievement and work-life balance can help teachers build a long, happy, and healthy career. Share some ways that you create moments of balance within your life!

Effects of Work-Life Imbalance within an Organization

 

An imbalance between life and work can create a number of issues and problems from an organizational standpoint. In this online article by Susan Ward, Work-Life Balance: What Is It? (thebalancesmb.com), Ward discusses how much a good foundation rooted in work-life balance can help improve work performance while reducing stress. It is important from a leadership standpoint to put emphasis on giving workers time to pend with friends, family and even alone. Doing this will improve productivity and retention in the long run, resulting in success for all parties involved. 

Share in the comments below some of the times you felt overworked and how you overcame it.

Welcome Fellow Educators and Community Leaders

Please take a moment to introduce yourself below in the comments and let us know where you are from! We encourage connections between fellow workers that have a strong emphasis on prioritizing work-life balance.

Activities!

 Share what your favorite activities to do during your off time from work.