A lot of us are working harder than ever these days. And that means that the famous work-life balance is out of sync for too many people.

It’s hard to get away from work thanks to the increasingly digital world that we live in. We are contactable all the time, have hundreds of emails to read, and the costs are significant to our families.

If you are finding yourself unable to switch off from your work, and it is starting to impact your life overall, then you have to do something about it. This article should help you get going.

Spotting The Signs

In days gone by, once you finished work that was it. You could go home to your family or head to the bar, and you wouldn’t have much to think about until the next day. However, in the modern day things have changed, especially if you hold the position of a middle manager or above. And there are obvious signs.

It’s a bad sign when work starts to creep home, and you find yourself responding to emails late at night; either from the dinner table or in bed. If the stresses and strains are coming home with you and you are taking them out on your family. If all you can think about is work, non-stop and 24/7, then you could be suffering from a poor work-life balance.

Health Impact

The impact of work-life balance on your health cannot be underestimated. It can lead to stress, which in turn can lead to many other problems, including heart troubles, stroke, or even diabetes.

You could find yourself not eating well enough and either succumbing to malnutrition or obesity. You could forget about personal fitness and the importance of exercise. As you can see, all of these issues could lead to serious implications. So what can you do about it?

Approaching The Problem

How can you get things to a more balanced state? First of all, it is important to speak with your employer. If they offer Occupational Health or Employee Assistance Programmes then is is advisable that you consider them. You can read more about what they offer at the Health Assured website.

If that help isn’t available, then think about what you can do yourself. Have specific times of the day when you can turn off your phone. Stop reading emails from home and find ways of clearing your mind of work. Enjoy time with your family. Get a new hobby, or start a new sport. Do anything you can which helps you make a clear distinction between work and home time. See a doctor for a full health check.

If you work long hours, think about asking for flexible working. Perhaps if you are going to work late nights you could have some time off in the afternoon when you are less productive. Communication with your employer is vital here. If they are resistant to change, don’t be afraid of showing them the many benefits of better work-life balances.

If you can show them how it will help their business as well as you, they will consider your requests seriously.