5 Surprising Ways To Find Work-Life Balance, According To Experts

Pompano Beach, FL., August 5, 2021 – The U.S. ranks lower for work-life balance compared to the global average. According to the 2021 OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Better Life Index, the U.S. has a ranking of 29 out of 40 countries surveyed for work-life balance. While 93 percent of Americans work more than 50 hours in a week, they spend fewer hours as compared to the global average on self-care and relaxation.

Finding balance in life is vital to prevent burnout, improve life satisfaction and avoid stress-related chronic diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, and depression. Experts share five surprising work-life balance tips that can help you lead a more fulfilling life.

Five surprising work-life balance tips

#1. Listen to music: Your commute to work represents your transition from non-work time to the workplace. Whether it is a ten-minute walk or a long commute, you can utilize the time to relax. Listen to your favorite music, a podcast, or even read a book if the commute is long. Mental Health America recommends listening to music at work as well. Studies show music helps reduce blood pressure levels, anxiety, and stress while fostering creativity, concentration, and productivity.

#2. Explore your core priorities: Psychologist Dr. Randy Simon, recommends determining what you value the most. Values relate to your core priorities such as personal interests, family, or a social cause. Determining the things you value the most can help you prioritize what matters to you and let go of the ones that are less important.

#3. Take care of your health: According to work-life balance expert, Mary LoVerde, people stop doing the things that will support them when they are stressed and feel a lack of balance in life. The first things they give up are the healthy habits of eating well, exercising, and getting adequate sleep.

The expert recommends getting anywhere from seven to eight hours of quality sleep every night to improve energy levels, reduce stress and enhance cognitive function. Regular exercise lowers depression while improving heart health and overall fitness. Eating healthy will help avoid nutrient deficiencies that can contribute to physical and mental illnesses. Dr. Simon also advocates meditation to improve sleep, lower stress levels, and reset your mind.

#4. Set realistic goals: Research shows that when people have more control over work, the less their stress levels. Prioritize your tasks at work each day with a “to do” list and set realistic goals on deadlines and workload. Eliminate non-essential tasks and conversations that drain your energy and waste your time.

#5. Work smarter, not harder: Your intensity of focus on the task matters more than the length of time you dedicate to the task. While the peak productivity time is different for each individual, psychology professor Dr. Dan Ariely believes two hours after waking up is when productivity levels peak for most people. The productivity window lasts for 2.5 hours. For instance, if you wake up at 7 am, your productivity may be at its peak between 9 am to 11.30 am. Handling the most challenging tasks during this window is a smart way to find balance in your life.