Tips for a Better Work-Life Balance

Work-Life Balance at Work

Many employees look for jobs with trust-based or flexible working hours. Jobs in the home office are especially popular with parents – more free time and more time for childcare. Sounds relaxed, yet a study by the Hans-Böckler-Stiftung found that women in this situation work 2 extra hours more per week and men even up to 4 hours. This means that mothers and fathers with flexible working hours do not have more free time than many think.

But it is not only parents who are affected by the disadvantages of trust-based working time. Many employees work more hours through trust-based arrangements, and mostly unpaid. This leads to more stress, reduces motivation and also productivity. Healthy work-life balance definitely sounds different.

Tips for a Better Work-Life Balance

Record your working hours

It is important for all employees to keep track of their working hours. This is easily done by systematically recording your working time. Employees can then quickly recognise when they have once again worked overtime, or can avoid it in advance. Many companies offer time off in lieu, allowing overtime to be reduced. With a time recording system this is also very easy to implement, as the employer can see how much overtime has been worked.

Regular end of the working day

Even though overtime is generally well received by managers, it is nonetheless stressful in the long run. Instead, spend time with your family, friends or on your hobbies. So clock off at a regular time and use the evening for things you enjoy.

Take care of your health

With a healthier diet, sufficient sleep and exercise, you will automatically become fitter. Make sure to observe the statutory rest period of 11 hours. Go to bed a little earlier from time to time – your body will thank you and you will have more energy for the day again.

Take time for yourself

Don’t forget to simply take a break for yourself. Use your free time for things you enjoy. Perhaps a hobby, or simply a nice bike ride or a massage. Switch off from the stress of everyday life and enjoy your free time entirely on your own.

Spend more time with family & friends

Don’t neglect your family and friends because of work – go out for dinner with friends in the evening or visit your family again. Don’t cancel family celebrations because you have to take care of something at work again. After all, you don’t live just for work.

Realistic goal-setting

Set yourself weekly goals that are also realistically achievable within that timeframe. With goals set too high, overtime is often worked, and failing to reach them creates frustration. Create your own sense of achievement with realistic, self-imposed goals.

Organise yourself better at work

Nothing is more stressful than noticing on a Friday afternoon that there is an unfinished task that still needs to be done that day. Create a to-do list for the current week and tick off your to-dos – that way you keep track of your tasks and nothing gets forgotten.

Use your break

Many employees consciously work through their working time without a break; this is not only legally prohibited but also bad for your health. Concentration drops enormously and damages your productivity. Use your compulsory break for a relaxed lunch with colleagues and briefly switch off from work. After the break you can then continue working productively and you automatically reduce stress.