After last week’s article, you have an understanding of the negative effects that can occur from work/life imbalance. Not only can our physical and psychological wellbeing suffer, but it can also impact our ability to even do our work in the first place.
But how do you know if your work/life is in or out of balance? Sometimes it can be hard to tell. No one wakes up one morning to a life that has gone from balanced to imbalanced overnight. This tends to happen over time, and can really sneak up on you. And, in the same way, recovery also takes time. You cannot just snap your fingers and go back to a well-balanced life.
For these reasons, it is important to monitor different areas of your life to make sure that you are staying healthy. Check-in regularly and ask yourself – honestly – how you are doing. These are some of the main symptoms of work/life imbalance that you should be aware of. Keep in mind that not everyone will experience the same signs or all of the signs listed below.
You start to experience strains in your relationships. This is often the first sign that many people recognize. If things with your partner have been on-edge recently, or you cannot remember the last time you saw your friends, chances are there is an issue with your work/life balance.
You notice changes in your sleep schedule. Maybe you are experiencing issues sleeping because your mind is running a mile a minute. Or maybe you feel constantly exhausted and are sleeping more than usual. Both are reasons for concern.
Your weight fluctuates, either up or down. Work/life imbalance causes a huge amount of stress. For some people, this could mean eating more, whereas others may find themselves skipping meals. Pay attention to your dietary habits and the number on the scale.
You have a difficult time concentrating. Mental fog is one of the most common symptoms of burnout. If you are starting to have a hard time remembering things or completing tasks, it could be your brain telling you that you need a break.
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, you should take some time to consider whether your life could be out of balance. We will go over strategies for restoring balance in next week’s article. Stay tuned.
Photo by Fidel Fernando on Unsplash
