Work life balance – 5 tips for achieving balance

Work Life Balance refers to the harmony between professional and personal responsibilities. It's about achieving a healthy balance, where it's possible to have enough time for work, but find room for personal and family activities. The aim is to avoid phenomena such as turnover, burnout, lack of time for yourself and the negative impact that this work overload can have on your physical and mental health and on your social and family life.

We now know, moreover, that rest is a great ally for worker productivity. To quote Daniel Goleman, one of the great names in science linked to emotional intelligence and organisational leadership, "(...) free time allows the creative spirit to grow, while very restricted agendas stifle it".

The importance of flexible working hours

Flexible working hours are one of the main tools for achieving Work Life Balance. Allowing employees, the autonomy to decide when and how they work can increase productivity and job satisfaction. What's more, this flexibility gives everyone more freedom to resolve personal issues and, consequently, considerably improves the quality of life of workers.

When it comes to greater flexibility in working hours, teleworking is seen by many as an option that offers greater freedom in time management. In Portugal, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, this form of working has become increasingly common and has gained prominence as one of the solutions for dealing with social distancing. This modality allows people to work from home, facilitating a better work-life balance. However, it is important to set clear boundaries and separate work and rest environments.

Time management and priorities

To achieve a balance between work and personal life, it's essential to set clear goals, establish realistic deadlines and learn to say "no" when necessary. It's also essential to identify the most important activities and know how to focus on them. Personal organisation and efficient use of time are key to avoiding overload and guaranteeing moments of leisure and rest.

Companies play an important role here in that they must provide policies and practices that encourage flexible working hours, remote working, and work-life balance. In addition, creating a healthy environment with support and respect for employees is fundamental. Initiatives such as wellness programmes, flexible working hours and mental health programmes are examples of actions that can be implemented to achieve this goal.

The challenge of reconciling family and work

Reconciling family and work is one of the biggest challenges in achieving Work Life Balance. It's important to have quality time with your family and to be present at important moments. Open communication and negotiating roles and responsibilities within the home are crucial. In addition, it is necessary to establish boundaries between work and family life, avoiding the constant invasion of one into the other.

5 TIPS FOR ACHIEVING BALANCE

• Set limits: Set working hours and don't exceed them. Also set aside time for personal and family activities. Respecting these limits is essential for maintaining a balance between the professional and personal spheres.
• Priorities’ your well-being: Set aside time to look after yourself. Practicing physical exercise, meditating, reading, and doing activities that bring pleasure are important for renewing your energy and improving your quality of life.
• Get organised: Make a to-do list, set priorities, and manage your time efficiently. This will help you avoid the feeling that you're always rushing around and allow you to devote yourself to the most important activities.
• Communicate and negotiate: Maintain open communication with your team and family. Explain your needs and expectations and be open to negotiating solutions that consider everyone involved, never forgetting yourself, of course!
• Disconnect from work: Take moments to disconnect from work. Disconnect from your mobile phone and emails outside of working hours and use these moments to devote yourself to activities outside of the professional context. 

Work Life Balance is essential for a balanced and healthy life. Flexible working hours, time management, the promotion of a healthy environment by companies and the reconciliation of family and work are fundamental to this process.

Nowadays, more and more companies are concerned about the well-being of their employees. If you need help finding a company that will help you grow as a professional, Fed Finance can help you realise your professional project, from your first application to starting a job!