Keep work and leisure in balance. Everybody has the right to enjoy their private lives, leisure time and family, in addition to work.
The employer and personnel should think of concrete measures suitable for their workplace with which employees can combine work with the rest of their life. This combination will contribute to a work community in which people feel good and find it meaningful to work.
Ensuring your ability to work
You should take care of your wellbeing throughout your career. For example knowledge workers encounter challenges with the flood of information, disruptions, interruptions and time pressure that all affect the ability to cope with work. Those working in physically demanding jobs may face problems with the handling of heavy loads, such as lifting and carrying.
Stressed out people find themselves in a situation in which they are faced with expectations and targets they cannot meet. Prolonged stress may result in a burnout, so you should take it up immediately with your supervisor.
Sleep and recovery are important in maintaining one’s ability to work. Sleep deprivation may cause problems in e.g. attention, memory, learning and mood. Remember to give your brain time to recover and rest. For instance television, computer and social media burden the brain in leisure time. You can improve the quality of sleep by relaxing and calming down for about two hours before bedtime.
It makes sense to take care of your musculoskeletal system. Poor working postures and other heavy strain can lead to musculoskeletal diseases. Then again, too little strain can cause weakening of muscle tone. Means to maintain your condition are exercise, sufficient sleep and avoiding smoking and overweight. If your employer offers you sport vouchers or other recreational vouchers as a work benefit, it is a good idea to take them into use.
Remember to eat regularly even during a hectic workday. Healthy choices of food and regular meal times promote wellbeing and vitality.
Leisure and friends and family
It is important that various situations in life are taken into consideration at workplace as part of work and workplace practices. The workplace culture must be flexible towards various forms of family and situations in life so that everybody is treated equally.
Combining work and family can be supported at workplaces in a number of ways. These may include:
- ability affect your working hours and their time in the day
- opportunity for part-time work when children are small
- use of modern technology to reduce commuting
- working remotely
Young people and free time
Enthusiastic young people starting their careers might find that work is taking hold of them and affecting their free time, too. Work and leisure time should always be kept in balance. Especially when starting a new job you should remember to look after your social relationships outside of work, too. Even though you enjoy your new job, it can still be a strain. Make sure to book time for friends and family in your schedule!
