While a healthy work-life balance will present differently for everyone, it may include:

• being able to meet your deadlines while still having time for hobbies
• having enough time to eat and sleep well
• not feeling worried about work while you’re at work

New research has shown that ‘work-life balance is a cycling, not an achievement.’

By following these 5 steps, you can regularly check your work-life balance.

1. Pause – think about what is causing feeling of stress and happiness, what are you prioritising, and what may you be missing out on.
2. Pay attention to you feelings – how is your current situation making you feel?
3. Reprioritise – Think about what you want to change
4. Consider your alternatives – Are there any possible changes at work that could help you meet your new priorities?
5. Make changes – what can you put in place to help yourself, and what can you ask of others in order for them to help you?

How can you create a supportive workplace?

• Encourage openness and allow people to speak honestly.
• Train staff to spot the early signs of stress in themselves and their colleagues.
• Encourage taking breaks.
• Review the workload of employees regularly to ensure it is manageable.
• Offer additional support and know how to signpost to services such as counselling.
• Talk to your employees about how they feel and how you can support them.

More information can be found on the Mental Health Foundation’s website – https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/