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Writer's pictureNitya Khanna

Work Life Balance and Mental Health

What is work life balance and how does this impact your mental health?


Scenario:

Time to reach workplace: 9 am

Distance to travel: 1.5 hours from home

Time to wake up: 6 am

Time to leave work: Aim- 5pm actual time- 7 pm

Bedtime: 12 am


You wake up everyday at 6 am, you rush to brush your teeth, take a quick shower, freshen up, run for the crowded metro and miss it by a minute…

Stressed yet?


Missing this metro causes you to be 15 minutes late, will your boss count this as a half day considering you enter so late and want to leave work by 5?

Still not stressed?


What about the tasks that were due yesterday?

You sure you’re not stressing out about those either and don't feel like you are on a constant run from Monday to Friday?


These daily stressors tend to bottle up within you and eventually lead to a situation called burnout.

So ,what is burnout?


Burnout refers to a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion resulting from prolonged stress and overwhelming work or personal demands.


What does burnout do to you?


-Physical symptoms: Fatigue, insomnia, frequent headaches, muscle tension, and weakened immune system.

- Emotional exhaustion: Feeling drained, lacking motivation, and experiencing a sense of detachment or cynicism towards work or other activities.

- Cognitive difficulties: Difficulty concentrating, impaired memory, decreased productivity, and poor decision-making.

- Interpersonal problems: Increased conflicts and irritability, social withdrawal, and strained relationships with colleagues, friends, or family.

- Reduced job performance: Decreased efficiency, decreased creativity and innovation, increased absenteeism, and decreased job satisfaction.

- Decline in overall well-being: Increased risk of mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, decreased self-esteem, and decreased life satisfaction.

- Disruption of personal life: Neglected self-care, decreased participation in hobbies or leisure activities, and difficulties maintaining a work-life balance.

- Increased risk of physical health problems: Chronic stress and burnout can contribute to the development of conditions like cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal issues, and compromised immune function.


How to avoid burnout?


To avoid burnout, it's important to prioritise self-care, manage stress levels, and establish healthy boundaries. Here are some strategies to help prevent burnout:


1. Set realistic goals and expectations

2. Practice time management.

3. Establish boundaries

4. Take regular breaks

5. Maintain a healthy work-life balance

6. Nurture your physical well-being

7. Seek social support

8. Practice stress management techniques

9. Disconnect from technology

10. Seek help when needed


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