BALANCING ACT

Author Melo Calarcos five ways to reclaim your work-life balance

One of the most common struggles many people face is maintaining work-life balance, especially thanks to the rise of hybrid working. The line between work and home is a blurry one, with many of us spending long hours in front of our computers and taking work home with us.

If you’re struggling to create clear boundaries in your personal and work life, this can result in increased stress, burnout, feelings of overwhelm and a decline in overall wellbeing.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. With a little effort and some simple strategies you can reclaim your work-life balance.

SET CRYSTAL-CLEAR BOUNDARIES

One of the biggest challenges of balancing work and life is the lack of clear boundaries, which can lead to working longer (according to the OECD Better Life Index, about 13 per cent of employees in Australia work very long hours in paid work).

It can be difficult to know when to switch off from work and start focusing on personal time. To overcome this, set crystal-clear boundaries and stick to them as best you can.

Resist the temptation to open the laptop after dinner. When working from home, change into your work clothes in the morning, and then at the end of your work day, change into your homey clothes. This gives you a clear distinction between working and not working.