You hear the term 'work-life balance' all the time, but what exactly does it mean?

Work-life balance simply means finding that healthy balance between your working life and your personal life. Work-life balance isn't necessarily defined as an even split between the hours you spend at work and the hours you spend on hobbies. The balance is more nuanced than that, and it also varies among different people.

At its core, the work-life balance concept is aimed at bringing attention to the fact that all work and no play is detrimental to a person's physical and mental well-being. And it isn't just important for those with difficult, laborious jobs; small business owners are particularly prone to spending too much time on the work side of the work-life see-saw, and can quickly get swamped with too much work and no play.

Everyone is at risk of letting work take up an unhealthy portion of their life. Poor work-life balance can have serious effects on your mental health. However, work-life issues are common, and often overflow from one to the other, creating more stress and mental fatigue. A business advisor is well-prepared to help you navigate this, either through better work processes or teaming up with a professional who specifically focuses on getting your work-life balance right.

There isn't a perfect balance that applies to everyone—people's ideal work-life balance is an extremely personal preference, but it is important to have an awareness of your own work-life balance for your mental health. This means knowing where your work limit is, and  ensuring you spend time socialising with friends and family, engaging in regular physical activity, and finding hobbies that will break your work and home life up, allowing you the wind-down time you need to prevent burnout and reduce stress.

If you're struggling with work-life balance, get in touch. I'm here to help.