October is already here, and we have all gotten into work mode, saying goodbye to our carefree and relaxing summer nights.

Fall is the season of promises: promises that this season will be different, and we will make our goals come true and keep our carefree mood during fall and winter. However, the daily routine absorbs us, and we tend to neglect our personal lives and focus only on our professional.

It is indisputable that our career and professional goals are extremely important, and many of our goals go around our work, but we should take into account that our personal life is equally essential, and in order to be effective professionally, we have to invest in our personal time —off work.

Even though the ongoing discussion about work-life balance has significant findings, i.e., 92% of workers in the US said it is very (57%) or somewhat (35%) important to them to work for an organization that values their emotional and psychological well-being, only 22% of people don't do anything to improve their work-life balance and 46% of Americans consider themselves workaholics.

These results show that even if people do want to keep some balance between their work and their personal time, in reality, they don’t do anything about it.

Why work-life balance is important?

Work-life balance is a topic of multiple dimensions and is not always easy to achieve despite the fact that keeping our work and personal time separate is proven to positively contribute to our physical and mental health, improve our job satisfaction, increase productivity, and promote overall well-being.

However, its perks for the quality of our life are multiple:

Mental and Emotional Well-being

Maintaining a work-life balance is important for our mental and emotional health. Research has proven that excessive work-related stress, deadlines, endless meetings, and long hours can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Would you jeopardize your mental health for work?

Physical Health

When we don’t keep the balance between work and personal life, our physical health can also get a significant hit. How often have you stayed dehydrated trying to finish this project, or how many hours of sleep have you sacrificed to find a solution to an urgent issue? Let alone the times you skipped the gym to work overtime. Sleep deprivation, inadequate eating habits, and a lack of exercise are some of the effects of not balancing work and life, which in turn can result in a range of health problems, including obesity, heart disease, and weakened immune function.

Job Satisfaction

Keeping the balance between work and personal life is related to increased job satisfaction. Imagine these days and weekends when you spend some quality time with your family and friends, relaxed and carefree. How were you the next day at work? Probably full of energy and motivation. It is proven that when you spend time on your hobbies, family, and favorite peeps, you will probably enjoy work and feel a sense of purpose in your career.

Increased Productivity

As odd as it may sound, working excessively can decrease productivity in the long run. Our brains and bodies are programmed to move and rest but in regulation. When you have a balanced life, you are more likely to be well-rested and focused during your work hours, leading to increased efficiency and better results.

Read more: 5 Proven Ways to Increase Productivity in the Workplace

Stronger Relationships

When we overfocus on our work, we tend to neglect our personal relationships and fill our time with work commitments. However, this practice can harm our social life and deprive us of emotional support. No matter how amazing your boss or colleagues may be, they won’t always be there for you as your family and friends.

Creativity and Innovation

Regular breaks from work can stimulate creativity and innovation. When you clear your mind of work-related topics and give yourself the mental space to explore new concepts, ideas and experiences, you can bring fresh and innovative perspectives to your work.

Tips on how to start balancing your life and your career

If you are not exactly in the place where you are balancing your work life and personal life, the beginning might be a bit challenging. Winding down is not always easy. It needs consistency and patience. But if you follow some easy steps, then you will see your life transforming for the best.

Set Clear Boundaries

Set clear boundaries between work and personal life. When your workday is over, resist the temptation to continue working or checking emails, especially if you are working from home. Give yourself time to unwind and stop thinking about tomorrow. Be sure that you communicate openly and honestly your boundaries and expectations with your employer, colleagues, and family. There will be times that you will have to overstep these boundaries but this should not be the rule.

Read more: How to Set and Preserve Boundaries

Prioritize Your Time

Specify what are your top priorities both at work and in your personal life. Identify how much time you need to accomplish your goals, professional and personal, and work on a schedule based on that. Allocate your time and energy to those priorities and avoid getting caught up in less important tasks. If, for example, you need to deliver a task by the end of the week, allocate the time within the week to do that; do the same with your personal tasks. If you want to catch up with a friend, schedule dinner or drinks and close the laptop in time. Scheduling is important.

Learn to Say No

Learning how to say no may sound extremely challenging in the beginning, but it can have great results towards your goal for a balanced life. Don't overcommit yourself, and say no to tasks and social obligations that make you feel overwhelmed. It’s important to leave your FOMO effect behind in order to maintain balance. It’s ok if you miss a social event or you do not participate in a big project -there will be more in the future.

Use Time Management Techniques

If you cannot manage your time effectively and cannot focus on completing your tasks on time, consider using time management techniques, such as the Pomodoro Technique or the Eisenhower Matrix to stay focused and productive during work hours. Also, a very effective trick is to have something to wait for after work, a movie night with your partner, dinner with your friends, or even a new recipe you want to try. This will give you a lot of motivation to complete your tasks eagerly.

Read more: Time management: The big bet

Delegate and Outsource

At work and at home, delegate tasks to others when possible. This can help reduce your workload and free up more time for yourself. It’s ok if someone else makes dinner for tonight or does the laundry.

Practice Self-Care

Self-care is important in a balanced life. Prioritize self-care activities like working out regularly, practicing meditation, or spending time on your hobbies and your loved ones. This way you will recharge and reduce stress levels.

Learn to Disconnect

Taking breaks and vacations without checking work emails or messages is difficult to achieve but extremely important. Disconnect your phone and devices from work emails and avoid work calls during your free time. Only a true break from everything will allow you to recharge and relax fully and then, come back to work with a fresh mindset and view.