Work-life balance is something that employees look for in any industry, including the healthcare field. However, healthcare professionals face the most challenge when it comes to maintaining a good work-life balance due to the demand in the workplace and the hours they need to spend in their shifts. If you are one of them, you can do something to minimize work-related stress and maintain your well-being.
First, it’s essential to determine what work-life balance means. It doesn’t necessarily equate to spending the same number of hours at work and your life outside it. It means maintaining a balanced lifestyle, which could mean:
- Finding fulfillment in your career without sacrificing your personal happiness or health.
- Doing things that matter to you without feeling guilty.
- Being in the moment or focusing on the present.
- Having enough time with the family.
Now that you have a better understanding of what work-life balance really is, you must also determine its importance. By doing so, you can focus on keeping that lifestyle, so you will be happy both with your career and personal life. Here are its benefits and what you can do to achieve them:
It relieves stress and improves mental health
Spending long hours at work or being overworked can lead to stress and burnout. Besides health issues, it could also negatively affect other areas of your life. These harmful effects are depression, isolation, irritability, and lack of focus. Some healthcare professionals who experience burnout take a break or consider locum tenens jobs.
Locum tenens means filling a temporary position. It could be that a company is understaffed or their full-time staff is on vacation or absent for a certain period for some reason. As a locum tenens provider, you will have flexibility with your schedule since you can accept any assignment that would work for you. A healthcare recruitment provider can help you find companies offering these jobs. Moreover, it allows you to travel as you can accept assignments in different locations. Travelling is also one way to relieve stress and improve your mental health.
It helps boost your productivity at work
Spending long hours at work doesn’t always equate to productivity. Sometimes, being overworked could affect your performance and efficiency. Since you are exhausted and have a lot of things in mind, you might not be able to focus on what you need to do, which could mean errors in your reports, mixed-up schedules, and so on. You might also get stuck at some point, as your brain and body can’t function properly anymore. If you have the right balance with your lifestyle, you will have a break from work, which will refresh your mind and body. It gives you the energy to become more productive with your job.
It strengthens your relationship with loved ones
Your relationship with loved ones is one of the most affected when you do not have a nice balance between your work and personal life. If you spend most of your time at work, you don’t get to spend much time with your family. It could mean missed family dinners, school events for the kids, and other special occasions. You might also not have time to meet up with your closest friends. Your absence could put a strain on your relationship. Although your loved ones may understand the nature of your job, it’s also human nature to want to have a connection, and you build that by spending time together. Take time off work to spend time with your loved ones and keep your bond strong. You work for your family, so you don’t want to lose the reason why you work so hard.
It gives a sense of true fulfillment and happiness
It isn’t easy to find happiness and fulfillment if you’re experiencing burnout from work. You could be on the verge of quitting, and you even find yourself dreading coming to work. In addition, you may lose your passion and enthusiasm because of the negative effects of your work overload. If it gets to the point that it feels like more than you can take, you might rethink continuing your career. However, if you have the time to relax and recharge outside work, it would be easier for you to appreciate your achievements at work. It will also keep your passion for doing your job efficiently and advancing your career.
It improves work engagement
As mentioned, being overworked may leave you exhausted, so there is no room for you to participate in other programs or activities that may benefit your career, the company, or the patients. Therefore, having a nice balance with your time will prevent you from being too tired of work-related matters. With this, you can join or volunteer on the said program, making you more involved and engaged.
It helps you focus on the present
Not managing your time properly could result in too much work and not enough rest. Your mind could be chaotic as there are so many things that you need to think of and do. However, if you have control over your schedule, it will be a win-win situation, as it will improve both your work and personal life. It gives you the presence of mind, so your thoughts would be clear, helping you make the best decisions at work and perform your job efficiently. As a healthcare provider, it’s vital since the patients’ lives depend on that. It also benefits your relationship with your family. It’s not enough that you are with them physically, but most importantly, your mind should be with them too.
It improves your physical health
The stress that comes with being overworked could lead to various health problems, such as lack of energy, depression, anxiety, sleep deprivation, weight increase, and poor blood circulation. As a healthcare provider, you also want to take care of your own health to aid your patients. Be sure to have enough rest, get regular exercise, and eat nutritious foods to keep a strong body.
Work-life balance is not just a fad for employees, including healthcare professionals. It is essential to succeed in your career without sacrificing quality time with your family and enjoying your personal interests.
