“Balance” A Term Around Which The Work Culture Revolves
What is the future of work? Many people are pondering this topic as the demand to redefine how and where we work has become louder. Last year due to the pandemic, people were stuck at home which led them to work remotely and most of us thought it would be a blessing in disguise. Employees’ trust has been shaken after nearly a year of working from home. Many people mistakenly believed that saving time on the commute to work would allow them to spend more time with their family and interests, but instead bedrooms and living rooms have been transformed into permanent workspaces with no boundaries of work life balance!
Is it the employees’ inability to organize themselves and be disciplined, or is it the management’s need to structure and clearly explain the working schedule for the employees, which many organizations and individuals still do not understand? Employees bear the lion’s share of the responsibilities. As a result, one must be structured and ordered in order to be more productive while working remotely.
A recent survey of over 12,000 working professionals in twenty-nine countries shows that employees
prefer more flexibility in their work schedule post the pandemic. While some individuals choose to work from home, others prefer to work in an office setting. Indeed, according to another survey, 21% of workers worldwide were impatient to go back to work since it was impacting their productivity and time management. All this stands true however highlights the challenge of maintaining a healthy work life balance which has only grown during these times especially when the hybrid work model is being followed by the majority of organizations across the globe.
After over 18 months of tweaking the daily routines around work-from-home, employees will now need interventions on the part of their employers to help them mentally re-adjust to the long-forgotten office routine. Some employees may also find it difficult to interact with others and form ties in the same way they did in the past.
Some recommendations that I myself follow that has proved to be helpful for maintaining a healthy work life balance are:
1. Add massage to your daily routine:
One of the greatest ways to avoid discomfort is to stay ahead of it and including massage into your daily routine is a terrific way to do so. It reduces inflammation by activating genes that naturally reduce swelling and relieves muscular tension by increasing blood flow and encouraging muscles to relax.
2. Keep up the physical activity:
Schedule regular breaks during your job, particularly ones that include some form of exercise. Virtually available home-based workout routines can be followed under the supervision of your doctor.
3. Adjust and adapt your home workspace:
Try to emulate the ergonomic environment you had at the office. Adjust your chair height as needed, as upper back and neck pain could be the result of holding your head in a downward angle to look at your computer.
4. Manage your stress levels and mental health:
Stress reduction and behavioral treatments are vital in soothing the central nervous system and pain response. One needs to keep their pre-COVID-19 habits in control. For example, get ready for work from home office to keep a familiar ritual which can help maintain a motivated and positive attitude.
Remote working has already proved to be cost effective for both the parties and brings many advantages for them. Working remotely can have its own challenges especially when one is surrounded
staying focused and avoiding distractions while working from home.
1. Keep track of your office schedule:
We don’t use our phones much when working from the office and stick to our deadlines. It’s critical to stick to your office schedule. While you’re at work, only take breaks when you’re authorized to and only eat your lunch around lunchtime. This helps one in being organized and follow a schedule that makes your workday effective.
2. Dress up:
It’s critical to look and feel like you’re working. When it comes to getting dressed in the morning, there is a happy medium. It’s all part of developing a business attitude and following a daily schedule. We are creatures of habit, and healthy habits are essential.
3. Have a dedicated workspace:
To stay focused while remotely working, it’s particularly important to get some feeling of it. It is important to have a dedicated workspace to help achieve that feeling. If you have a separate area set aside as an office, it’s a clever idea to utilize it exclusively for business. You are no longer at work once you exit the room.
According to a new report by SHRM 42 percent of the organizations surveyed are employing new or
expanded remote work or flexibility options to decrease attrition.
It’s not only about getting to and from work on time to have a well-balanced work-life. In a larger sense, it’s about ranking things according to their importance. Prioritizing tasks allows one to save both time and energy. As a result, they are able to strike the ideal balance between job and personal life.
When it comes to its influence, work-life balance is important for employees, but it also has an impact on the company. Employees who value their well-being equally are unquestionably happier and more content. This is shown in their professional performance and conduct.
Maintaining work-life balance isn’t difficult if one prioritizes their tasks. Along with appropriate work-life balance, stronger work-life integration is also necessary. It establishes the tone for a balanced work-life balance. The above-mentioned principles may lead to remarkable results in terms of work-life balance.
