We live in a fast-paced hustle culture that focuses more on getting things done than enjoying what we set out to do in the first place. For many, the end result is stress, anxiety and burnout. And they’re all hard to bounce back from.
Fortunately, changing the course toward a healthier work-life balance isn’t as complicated as it might seem. With intention and awareness, you can pave a new road toward a happier workplace.
In this article, we’ll share a few essential ideas that zoom in on small adjustments that can bring great results over time.
Let’s get started!
Finding Happiness in a Hustle Culture
Staying happy in a hustle culture has proved difficult for many. One might even define happiness and hustle as antagonistic concepts in the sense that a lifestyle fueled single-handedly by one’s career rarely has a positive effect on one’s overall personal well-being.
Sayings, such as “hustle beats talent when talent doesn’t hustle” or “I’ve got a dream worth more than my sleep” both reflect the mentality of hustle culture. It encourages the relentless pursuit of goals, and the tireless sacrifice to achieve career success – often at the expense of a healthy work-life balance.
What is Hustle Culture?
The term hustle culture refers to a specific mindset that adheres to the idea that you should constantly work hard to achieve success.
In recent years, the hustle culture narrative has received backlash for being toxic and contributing to burnout – especially among younger workers.
A Better Work-Life Balance: 5 Effective Firestarters
When work becomes a predominant factor in people’s lives, an unhealthy work-life balance develops. This can often have a negative impact on company culture.
Here are some ideas on how to cultivate a healthier work-life balance – for both business leaders and employees.
1. Start with a Small Mindset Shift
As they say, the secret to happiness lies with oneself. Practicing a few daily mindfulness habits can have a great positive effect on people’s mindset.
Mindful Mornings
The idea of mindful mornings is to start the day slow and with full awareness. Practicing some yoga before heading off to work, meditating, or reading a few pages from a really good book sets a positive tone for the day.
Gratitude
Practicing gratitude is one of the most powerful mental tools you can use to feel more happiness and joy. When the going gets tough, happy people tend to focus more on what they’re thankful for.
Compassion and Empathy
Showing compassion in the workplace is extremely contagious, and often those positive vibes ricochet right back at you. Empathy is one of the most powerful ways to connect with others. By being an empathetic leader, you’re actively contributing to a happier workplace.
2. Supporting a Better Work-Life Balance
Happy employees are more productive, creative, and loyal to their employers. But happiness at work isn’t just for employees – it’s also for leaders and managers.
Research made by Oxford University shows a link between happy employees and a 13% increase in productivity.
There are many ways to support a healthier work-life balance at the office. Having a flexible work schedule that allows for self-care time and exercise is a great place to start. Offering reimbursement for physical health activities through cash, credit, or a corporate gift card also sends a powerful message about company culture values.
It’s important that managers and senior leadership lead by example. Taking regular breaks and leaving the office on time show that you are serious about instituting a healthy work-life balance in the workplace.
Other examples of perks that contribute to a positive company culture include:
Membership to the gym
Fitness classes at the office
Massages at the office
Mental health support
You can read more about how to cultivate a stronger and healthier workplace environment in this article.
3. Setting Effective Boundaries
Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life is key. According to the latest report by Gallup on the State of the Global Workplace, 44% of employees worldwide reported feeling high levels of stress the previous day – a record high for the second year in a row!
People find themselves overwhelmed and struggling to keep their professional and personal lives apart. Setting clear boundaries can help reduce stress and anxiety in the workplace.
4. Establishing Realistic Goals
Having realistic goals is extremely helpful when it comes to managing stress and burnout in the workplace. It can help determine what the main priorities should be, making it easier to set aside time for the things that really matter.
According to Gallup, setting SMART goals is a great path toward creating meaningful success. SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely. Setting goals with your team’s specific strengths in mind can help you find more creative and innovative solutions.
5. Socializing More at Work
Making friends in the workplace is essential. For employees, feeling a sense of belonging and camaraderie can help reduce the risk of mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.
Having happy, social employees elevates performance and creates more energized teams.
The Importance of a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Finding the perfect work-life balance isn’t easy and can sometimes feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be.
Promoting a workplace culture that encourages social interaction, empathy, and team spirit strengthens the bond between you and your team. The key is to pull back on the hustle and focus more on connection, setting boundaries that allow space for fulfillment – both at work and at home!
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