Work-life balance is more than a buzzword these days. With PAs taking on more and more work, it’s hard to find a happy medium that allows for a decent personal life. To help employees find out whether they should reassess their work-life balance, AXA PPP healthcare has built a simple visual quiz.
If you find out you might be suffering from an out-of-kilter work-life balance, these 10 practical steps by psychological health expert Eugene Farrell will help you get back on track.
1 Prioritise work tasks rigidly and stick to doing the most important first.
2 Schedule work into the day in time slots as you would with meeting appointments and work to that time.
3 Take regular breaks; get up every hour and walk. Go and get some water or a drink and return to your work refreshed.
4 Ensure you take a proper lunch break away from your desk where you can eat and drink without disruptions.
5 Take all of your annual leave each year, with at least one full week, and try to disconnect from work once a quarter.
6 Use out of office message and a nominated cover when you are away from work so that you don’t have to check emails all the time.
7 Understand your limitations of work that you can successfully and reasonably achieve.
8 If you feel uneasy about saying no to more work from your manager, then negotiate taking on the work while delaying something else.
9 Being fit for work is as important as the work itself – get a good night’s sleep, eat healthily, exercise, and spend time with family and friends.
10 If you are a leader of people, set the example and send the right message.
For more tips and guidance on achieving a better work-life balance, visit AXA PPP healthcare’s Work-Life Balance portal.
