Maintaining Work-Life Balance in Midlife

Welcome to another edition of our newsletter.   Last time I welcomed you into the world of the portfolio career. In this issue, I would like to shed light on another important aspect for midlife women in the workplace, maintaining our work-life balance.

Maintaining a work-life balance means finding a way to keep your job separate from your personal life so that overwhelm doesn't set in. It's about managing your time and energy smartly to handle both work and personal commitments while also making sure you take care of yourself. These days, a lot of midlife women are working so hard, trying to juggle their jobs with all the demands of home, family and social life.  It can be tricky for midlife women to draw the line between work and their personal lives. If this is not kept in focus it can eventually take a toll on our wellbeing.

How does a healthy work-life balance influence you in midife?

Improved Physical And Mental Health: Maintaining a good work-life balance is crucial for physical and mental health. It helps manage stress, lowering the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and depression. By prioritising self-care, exercise, and a balanced diet, you foster mental well-being and resilience to handle both work and personal life demands effectively.

Increased Productivity: Balancing work and personal time allows you to concentrate better and excel in your tasks. With a healthy work-life balance, you bring more enthusiasm, creativity, and motivation to your work, leading to improved efficiency and quality. 

Reduced Stress: Balancing work and personal life reduces stress. Neglecting personal needs leads to burnout, affecting health and relationships. 

Improved Relationships: Finding time for family, friends, and personal hobbies is essential, especially for midlife women. Achieving a healthy work-life balance allows you to cherish moments with loved ones and pursue activities close to your heart. These connections enhance and deepen relationships, offer vital emotional support, and boost our communication with our closest people.

Greater Job Satisfaction:  For midlife women, achieving a balance between work and personal life significantly impacts job satisfaction. It helps mitigate feelings of burnout or resentment, thereby boosting motivation and performance levels. This sense of contentment fosters a greater commitment to our roles and employer. Moreover, organisations that prioritise work-life balance are perceived more positively, making them more attractive to experienced professionals seeking long-term opportunities.

Signs of an unhealthy work-life balance

It can be easy to miss out on telltale signs of an unhealthy work-life balance. Here are some signs to look out for that suggest you are not making your personal life and self-care a priority.

Continuous overwork: Consistently working extended hours, even on weekends and holidays, without enough time for rest or personal pursuits.

Neglected personal life: Putting aside personal relationships, hobbies, and leisure activities because of overwhelming work demands.

Burnout: Feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally drained from prolonged stress and pressure at work.

Lack of self-care: Ignoring self-care practices like exercise, enough sleep, and relaxation, leading to declining physical and mental well-being.

Strained relationships: Facing challenges in maintaining healthy connections with family, friends, and loved ones due to work-related obligations.

Strategies to maintain a healthy work-life balance

Set boundaries between work and personal time: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life by setting defined work hours and refraining from bringing work home. Disconnect from work communication channels during non-working hours.

Take breaks throughout the day: Take regular breaks throughout the day to maintain focus and prevent burnout. Engage in activities like short walks, power naps or quick workouts to rejuvenate your mind and reduce stress..

Create time for your hobbies and interests: Allocate time in your schedule for hobbies and interests to relax and recharge. Prioritize personal development alongside professional growth.

Delegate Tasks: Delegate tasks at work to avoid feeling overwhelmed and prevent burnout. Don't hesitate to seek assistance when needed. You can also outsource tasks such as household chores or hiring a personal assistant to manage non-essential duties. This delegation frees up time for you and helps you manage your workload.

Say no to extra work: Learn to decline extra work that may disrupt your work-life balance. Prioritize your well-being by setting limits on your workload.

Take Vacations: Use vacation time to unwind and recharge mentally and physically. Disconnect from work during vacations to return with a fresh perspective.

Practice Relaxation Techniques: Incorporate relaxation techniques like breathing mindfulness, meditation into your routine to manage stress effectively.

Embrace flexibility: Negotiate remote work options, flexible hours, part-time arrangements, or even consider a portfolio career which can allow you to dedicate time to both your career and personal life

Personally, as the self-dubbed queen of self-care, this is something I am quite passionate about as I am quite passionate about as I find I do have many balls to juggle.  A great tactic I use to manage my time efficiently is time blocking, so I still manage to touch on the various roles I have but it's within certain windows of time.  I also am big on exercise- walking out in nature which I find quite helpful.  Whilst I’m not as outgoing now as I used to be, I have my trusted besties who I hook up with for meals or just a call to unwind & a big thing for me is travel…a getaway always helps put things into perspective and especially if it's to a sunny destination. 

Finally, do remember, achieving a healthy work-life balance is a journey, not a destination. It is important to prioritise your well-being, set boundaries, and embrace your evolving needs, so you can create a fulfilling life that thrives both personally and professionally. It’s a long weekend, and whilst I wouldn't want to give you a task over the weekend, it could be a great time to evaluate where you are and see if you need to make any tweaks to help you achieve a healthy work-life balance as we head into Spring and the new/next quarter of 2024.    

Here’s sending you fabulous Easter wishes and I hope you had a great break!  Please share any thoughts you have on this article with me.  I’d love to hear back from some of you!!