5 Signs of a Poor Work-Life Balance

by Kelli Gardener, Guest Contributor

There’s nothing wrong with a little hard work, or even a lot of hard work. Many of us get a lot of satisfaction from a good job well done, but occasionally you can end up with your days being all work and no play. We all know how that ends. A healthy work-life balance is important; it can make you happier, healthier, and more productive. Groom + Style have created an excellent guide on how to strike such stability. But how do you know if your work-life balance is unhealthy? We’ve highlighted five signs that may indicate just that.

Balance your work life more efficiently.

You’re Constantly Checking Emails
All of us are more connected these days, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, when you find yourself constantly checking your phone to see if work has emailed you, this can indicate that it’s infringing too much on your personal life. If you’re checking first thing and last thing every day, even at weekends, you might want to take a step back.

You Don’t See Your Friends
If you can’t remember the last time you spent some quality time with your friends, it could be indicative of a poor work-life balance. Maybe you find yourself making excuses for not going out, or feeling too tired to put much effort into socializing. Your personal relationships are just as important (if not more so) than your job, so don’t neglect them.  

You Spend Most of Your Time in the Office
You may find that you’re eating three meals a day at your place of work. This is a good sign that you’re spending far too much time in the office. Although most of us work a 40-hour week, anything more than 50-hours a week spent in work can indicate that you’re not taking enough time out.

You’re Always Tired
Do you find yourself struggling to keep your eyes open at work? Or maybe you need to nap as soon as you get home. This feeling of constant tiredness can often be a sign that you’re overworked. Many of the above points can tie into this, resulting in you feeling overwhelmed and under-rested. Not only is it unpleasant, but it can also mean you’re less productive while at work, which creates a vicious cycle.

You Never Have Any ‘You’ Time
Can you remember the last time you did something you enjoyed? Whether it’s a hobby, exercise, reading a book, watching a movie, gardening, or any other pastime, you should be working so that you can do the things you enjoy. If your daily schedule doesn’t allow for any downtime, it’s highly likely your work-life balance is out of kilter.

Make Small Changes
If you’re reading this article with a sense of familiarity, you’re probably overdoing it at work. Thankfully, you can make small changes to try and redress the balance. Focus on the people and activities you care about and learn to take some time out for yourself. You’ll be thankful for it in the long run.
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