Working and wellness are rather like inseparable partners; the two complete each other, meaning that you should make sure these aspects work well in tandem. After all, while working is theoretically important for paying the bills, neglecting wellness can adversely affect work, too.
This situation might have led you to pursue the “work-life balance” prized by self-help gurus, but it's possible that you are accidentally taking the wrong route. The term itself suggests that working and wellness should be kept at arm's length from each other, but is this idea as wise as it initially sounds?
Poor mental wellbeing can affect your spending habits
What is “poor mental wellbeing”? The Money Advice Service defines it as “when you feel sad or stressed, or are finding it difficult to cope with day-to-day life.” Such despondency can be attributed to money issues, but faltering mental health can itself exacerbate those problems.
For example, you might feel the need to take time off work, potentially leading your income to fall. Alternatively, you could “comfort buy” things you don't genuinely need, leading you to feel regretful. Your employer could offer discounts to help cushion this blow; click here to see the savings possible.
Balancing work and life can be trickier than blending them
Have you ever wondered where the term “work-life balance” originally came from? Regardless, the concept can seem out of step with modern working practices. Just look at social media influencers, whose lives – yes, those of sun, sea and sand captured on Instagram – are practically their work, too.
In an article for Forbes, award-winning entrepreneur Julian Baladurage says that “work-life blending” may be more achievable than a “work-life balance” for people who struggle with the latter. The blending approach “ensures we're getting important work done without overdoing it.”
The workplace is a social place, too
At this point, you might be wondering how exactly you ought to get started with “blending” the two, supposedly distinct components of your life. However, there might already be more of a blur than a distinction between the two. Just think of how you socialise with your co-workers…
Baladurage insists that “being part of a workforce or community is really important for your state of mind.” Your boss could, as Real Business suggests, arrange away days or trips to foster improved communication within your team. This strategy can lead to boosted productivity as well.
Work hours can now be flexible
It's easy to envy those “influencers” as you picture them tapping out a new Instagram post while sipping a cocktail on a Hawaiian beach. However, you might not have realised how close such a lifestyle is to your own grasp. That's due to flexible hours and remote working.
You could look into whether your own employer offers these, allowing you to break free from the usual 9-to-5 grind. By playing around with your work hours, you could reduce your risk of burnout and give yourself more time to relax in the morning, just before you launch into working.
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