8 tips to improve your work-life balance

If your work-life scale is tipping too much to one side, here is how you can regain balance

Text: Hui Yi Phua

credit: Ketut Subiyanto

For two consecutive years, Singapore was ranked the second most overworked city in the world according to a study conducted by Kisi. We are also placed among the bottom 10 cities for work-life balance in the same study.

In a country where “hustle culture” and being busy are glorified, it’s no wonder why we’re also named the ‘most fatigued’ country in the world. Striking a work-life balance in Singapore could be a challenging task, but no doubt a necessary one. Studies have shown that an imbalanced work-life relationship could lead to unproductivity, psychological stress, relationship strains and poorer health. Irritability and anxiety are also found to be more prevalent among people with work-life imbalance, which might become factors leading to depression and drug or alcohol abuse.

Fortunately, with more and more companies and the government advocating for implementation of work-life strategies at workplaces, Singaporeans could finally be on our way to finding better harmony between work and rest.

Of course, there are also ways for us as individuals to actively work towards a healthier work-life relationship. Below is a list of tips that can help you kick-start your journey towards a better work-life balance:

1.    Determine your priorities

Knowing what your priorities are can make it much easier for you to make decisions and plan your day ahead. It can also enlighten you on what you can change in your lifestyle to make way for a happier, well-balanced and healthier self. So spend some time to ask yourself what is important to you, and what needs to be done first for both work and at home.

2.    Schedule, schedule, schedule

credit: Bich Tran

The next step after figuring out your top priorities would be to plan for your day ahead. Write your to-do list on a planner or type it in your phone or laptop. It is recommended that you start the day with the more important or demanding tasks. Scheduling gives you an overview of what needs to be completed for the day and encourages you to stick to the time allocated for each tasks, increasing productivity and decreasing the need for over-time work.

3.    Set S.M.A.R.T. goals

Planning your day is only half of how you can be more productive, the other half, which is equally important, is to stick to your plan closely and effectively. To do this, follow the S.M.A.R.T. criteria when you’re scheduling in each task.

• Specific – target a specific area for improvement

  • Ask yourself the 5Ws: Who? Why? What? Where? Which?

• Measurable – quantify or at least suggest an indicator of progress

  • How much? How will I know when it’s accomplished?

• Achievable – make sure your goals are realistic and attainable, given the available resources

• Relevant – ensure this goal matters to you and aligns with other relevant goals

  • Does this seem worthwhile? Is this the right time? Does this goal match my need / efforts? Am I the right person to reach this goal?

• Time-related – specify when the result(s) can be achieved

  • When? What can I do today? What can I do within six weeks / months?

4.    Ask for help when you need it

Many of us are hesitant to reach out for assistance because it feels uncomfortable to ask questions or make requests. This can result in one taking every responsibility and work on themselves, and leading to burn-out and stress.

Sometimes, the underlying issue of this is due to us feeling obligated to finish all the work by ourselves (“Who will do it if I don’t?”) or us not wanting to appear “weak” by asking for help. If you relate to these feelings, try thinking of asking for help as being part of a solution and building a support system at your workplace. You don’t have to feel ashamed to ask for assistance – after all, everyone needs help from time to time.

5.    Take care of your health

credit: Ella Olsson

When we get caught up in a whirlwind of tasks, we tend to neglect our health. Being in poor shape physically, mentally, and emotionally can have repercussions on our work and personal lives, which sets off a vicious cycle and leave us feeling worse than before. That is why it is of utmost importance to take care of our health and place it as our priority.

We can do so through a variety of ways: eating nutritious meals, practicing meditation, taking small breaks, exercising at least three times a week, and getting sufficient sleep. The extra time you take to choose healthier food options or go for a run can significantly help you to relieve stress, improve your immune system, increase your productivity, keep a clear mind and make you a happier person in general.

6.    Establish and communicate boundaries

Now that many of us are working from home, it may become increasingly difficult to separate work and non-work since everything is done in the same space. To ensure productivity and concentration, it is essential to set your boundaries (and be firm about them!). This sometimes requires us to learn how to say “no”.

For example, you can communicate to your employers and colleagues that you will not be replying any work emails on the weekends, or by shutting down your work computer right when your working hours end. Similarly, you can establish boundaries to focus on your work by not opening social media or non-work-related apps on your smartphone during working hours, or letting your family members know that you do not want to be disturbed when you’re working at home.

By setting and honouring these boundaries, you get to be fully present and focused when you’re working or resting.

7.    Make time for your hobbies, relationships, and you

credit: Toa Heftiba

While work is an undeniable integral part of our life, we shouldn’t let our whole life revolve around it. We should spend an equal amount of time and effort on other aspects of our lives – like our hobbies, relationships, and self-care.

To do so, we can set aside time intentionally to do these activities. If you’re an avid cyclist, take time out of your rest days to complete a cycling route. Go on outings and dates with your loved ones. Schedule in some “me time” to catch up on your reading, or simply to take that afternoon nap you’ve been looking forward to. All these allow you to recharge, look forward to other things in life other than work, and achieve holistic growth.

8.    Start small

Last but not least, remember that you can start small. Perhaps you’ve never been familiar with work-life balance, and you find it daunting and difficult to attain. It’s okay to be feeling this way – work-life balance, like most things in life, takes time to cultivate. Rather than viewing it as an achievement to complete in one-go, you can instead see it as a habit and a lifelong process that requires consistent, continuous effort to maintain it.

It is more important that you recognise when you need more work-life balance to lead a better, happier and healthier life, and then taking the first step (no matter how small) to work towards it.

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