EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH
Work-life balance?
Work-life balance looks different for everyone. Behavioral health issues related to work-life balance can include stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, and substance use.
Need immediate help?
If you or someone you know is in danger of hurting themselves or someone else — or if there’s any type of health emergency — please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
How challenges with work-life balance might show up
Everyone struggles at some point to balance everything that life requires, including taking care of yourself and your family, working, and going to school.
When work-life balance suffers, individuals can experience chronic stress, social anxiety, job dissatisfaction, workplace bullying, and much more.
We should all check in with ourselves regularly about work-life balance. Some signs that the balance between work and life might be off include:
- Feeling burned out
- Ignoring hobbies or other outside interests
- Loss of sleep of difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty maintaining relationships with family and friends
- Physical health issues such as headaches, stomach issues, or changes in appetite
Need immediate help?
If you or someone you know is in danger of hurting themselves or someone else — or if there’s any type of health emergency — please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
At the same time, not all behavioral health issues that occur in the workplace are caused by work. Some people may have underlying mental health conditions that are worsened by work-related stressors.
PTSD can also occur if someone has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event at work such at workplace violence or accidents. OCD and ADHD can also be associated with work regarding the need for perfectionism, fear of making mistakes, and interference with productivity, organization, and time management skills.
As a reminder, it’s important to remember that everyone struggles with work-life balance at various times. Therapy can help with struggles related to work-life balance such as prolonged stress or increased feelings of anxiety of depression, especially when healthy habits are no longer helping.
Frequently asked questions about work-life balance
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Saying “no” is an important skill for preventing burnout and maintaining work-life balance. Practice being honest and upfront about existing deadlines or priorities. Try offering a compromise or alternative solution to the request and be prepared to push back on unreasonable requests by explaining your concerns.
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It’s important to communicate boundaries between coworkers, managers, and even your family and friends. Let them know when you’re available and minimize distractions whenever possible. Develop a real shutdown routine to separate work from home, and practice saying “no” more often.