The importance of work/life balance

If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen that when I travel I try to practice what I preach. I step away from work and take a holiday. Work/life balance is so important, and yet so many of us (myself included) struggle to get it right. I don’t think there’s a magic formula to achieving balance, but I do think it’s important to try, to make it a priority, to mark out some time in the work schedule and get it happening!

Here are just three benefits you’ll experience if you do close your laptop and disconnect from the online world.

1. You’ll lose weight.  No – just joking.  Unless you plan on really ramping up your exercise over your break instead of sitting at your desk, chances are you won’t lose weight.  You will, however, reduce the risk of work burnout.  Work stressors that flow into your personal life can result in burnout.
2. You have more headspace to focus on what’s important.  Part of our holiday was on a cruise of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.  It was amazing. What was even better was there was no wifi. For … three … days!! This wasn’t intentional, but it turned out to be the best possible experience.  Having an enforced break from the constant distraction and interruption of the online world makes you much more aware of how social media etc impacts on our lives. 
3. You’ll be healthier, more productive and in a better headspace when you return to work.  It’s well known that too much stress negatively affects your immune system.  

I’d love to hear how you manage your work/life balance.

Now to book my next holiday!