Work-life balance refers to managing professional and personal responsibilities in a way that supports productivity, wellbeing, and meaningful relationships.
Search
- Contact Us
- Claims
-
Log in
If you haven’t registered your account for online access yet, register now.
Other Products
Quick Links
How to balance work and life: Tips and best practices
What is work life balance?
Work-life balance means managing time and energy so work responsibilities and personal priorities can coexist in a healthy, sustainable way.
Work life balance explained
Work-life balance is about creating space for both productivity and personal fulfillment. It allows individuals to perform effectively at work while staying connected to family, friends, and activities that help recharge.
For example, someone with a healthy balance may meet deadlines, log off at a reasonable hour, and still make time for exercise, hobbies, or meaningful conversations. Balance does not require perfection. Instead, it reflects flexibility, intention, and the ability to set priorities that support overall wellbeing.
What are the consequences of a poor work-life balance?
A poor work-life balance can contribute to chronic stress, burnout, fatigue, and strained relationships. Over time, it may also affect physical health, emotional wellbeing, and job performance. Without adequate downtime, even highly motivated individuals may feel overwhelmed or disconnected.
How to have a healthy work-life balance?
Building a healthier work-life balance does not require major changes. Small, consistent habits can make a meaningful difference over time.
1. Streamline your routine
Simplifying daily routines can help reduce unnecessary stress and decision-making. Planning ahead, organizing tasks, and creating predictable schedules may help free up time and mental energy. These efficiencies can make it easier to focus on priorities both at work and at home.
2. Ditch multitasking
Focusing on one task at a time can help improve efficiency and reduce mental strain. Multitasking often leads to distractions and slower progress. Giving full attention to a single task may help support better outcomes and a clearer sense of completion.
3. Build downtime into your schedule
It can be helpful to treat rest like an appointment. Scheduling breaks, movement, or quiet moments into the day may help support energy and focus. Regular downtime plays an important role in maintaining long-term motivation and wellbeing.
4. Take a break from the office
Stepping away from work, even briefly, may help support clarity and creativity. Using vacation time, taking short walks, or disconnecting at the end of the workday can help create mental separation. This separation may reduce burnout and help maintain balance.
5. Set boundaries
Clear boundaries help define when work begins and ends. Limiting after-hours communication and setting realistic expectations can help protect personal time. Healthy boundaries support both sustainable performance and personal wellbeing.
6. Create a dedicated workspace
For those who work from home, having a designated workspace can help separate professional and personal life. Spending work hours in one area and stepping away when the workday ends may make it easier to fully disconnect. This physical separation can support healthier routines.
7. Revisit priorities regularly
Responsibilities and goals often change over time as personal and professional circumstances evolve. Periodically reviewing priorities can help ensure schedules continue to reflect what matters most. Regular check-ins allow for adjustments that support balance.
Work Life Balance FAQs
An unhealthy balance occurs when work consistently interferes with health, personal time, or relationships.
Many working adults report challenges balancing responsibilities, particularly when workloads, caregiving demands, or financial pressures increase.
Long work hours, financial stress, lack of boundaries, multiple jobs, and blurred lines between work and home can all contribute.
Many people find balance working approximately 35 to 40 hours per week, though individual needs and circumstances vary.
Working from home can offer flexibility, but it often requires clear boundaries and a dedicated workspace to prevent overworking.
RELATED CONTENT
Want to learn more about financial strategies?
A New York Life financial professional can help determine what’s right for you.
SUBSCRIBE
Get peace of mind for what matters most.
Discover the different ways life insurance can help provide protection for you and your loved ones.
Thank you for subscribing!
Harvard Business Review, Work-Life Balance: https://hbr.org/topic/work-life-balance
Mayo Clinic, Work-life balance: Tips to reclaim control: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-mindfulness-tips-to-reclaim-some-control-in-your-life-work-balance/
American Psychological Association, Work and well-being: https://www.apa.org/topics/healthy-workplaces/
World Health Organization, Burn-out: An occupational phenomenon: https://www.who.int/standards/classifications/frequently-asked-questions/burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Stress at Work: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/99-101/
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Work-life balance resources: https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/benefits-compensation/10-ways-to-establish-better-work-life-balance