The boundaries between work and life have become substantially blurrier in recent years. Even more so given the massive shift to remote work for those who can. Working from home more often means that those boundaries set by a commute and home from the office are no longer there. Home is now also your office in many cases. What that means for the fabled “work-life balance” is that it is now more challenging than ever to turn off work when you are outside of work hours. But that balance is still essential to an individual’s health and wellbeing. So now it’s up to you to set firmer boundaries in the ways that you can control, to make sure that you are taking care of yourself and setting yourself up for long term, sustainable professional success.   

Understanding what Balance Means for You  

The fact of the matter is that only you have control of your time and focus. Managing burnout is no one’s responsibility but your own. Depending on what the right mix is for you, finding ways to compartmentalize your work life and your personal life can be helpful in making sure you’re not letting one take over the other. For different people, and arguably different generations, work and life balance looks very different. Millennials are considered to take work-life balance more seriously into their measurements of happiness and success on the job. They have seen generations before them struggle to prevent burnout and manage chronic stress and their physical consequences and are committed to not letting that happen to themselves as they navigate the professional landscape.   

Creating More Balance Authentically  

Managing high levels of stress over a long period of time is work in and of itself. But where that mark falls in terms of “high” stress and “long” periods of time differs from person to person. Companies that work to create an environment that prioritizes work-life balance are increasingly sought after as employers (especially for Gen X and Millennials). Some create that balance through reliable use of their PTO, or look for perks such as telecommuting, extended parental leave, etc. Others look to work for companies who bring a little life balance to work, through game rooms or more relaxed office environments.   

However, for many professionals, these types of perks don’t actually make a dent in the balance between intensely demanding jobs and home and family demands. Instead, they are more interested in finding a career path that will support their lifestyle outside of work.  

Flexible Work Arrangements 

Many professionals crave a more flexible work environment that satisfies the employees’ needs outside of work. Such environments have shown to decrease stress, boost job satisfaction levels, and help employees maintain healthier habits. If that sounds like the right balance for you, look for jobs that offer flexible work hours, the ability to work from home, and generous PTO offerings. Beyond flexibility, companies that emphasize a positive and healthy workplace culture and prioritize professional growth and social connection opportunities are seeing increases in happiness and productivity from their staff.   

Find Work That Works For You 

If you are also ready to make a change, connect with the team at All-Star Personnel today, and we’ll help you find the right job for you.