How to Improve Work-Life Balance

Table of contents

1. Stay organised

2. Create goals for yourself

3. Make time for loved ones and hobbies

4. Firmly separate personal and professional time

5. Have you thought about international health insurance?

Keep reading for some tips on how you can maintain your work-life balance when living abroad.

Stay organised

During working hours, staying organised enables you to get more work completed. One good method for achieving this is to keep a to-do list – this helps you keep on track and prioritise what is most urgent.

Where you keep your to-do list is up to you. Many people like to use digital solutions, whereas a trusty pencil and a notebook can work well too. Whatever it is, crossing off items from your responsibilities can be very satisfying.

Another tip is to keep your workspace tidy. It can make your working environment stressful if you can’t find the correspondence or information you need, and means time gets wasted that can be spent on other tasks.

Also, don’t be afraid to delegate. If you have more work than you can handle, see if someone else in your team can support you to free up some of your time. You’re then less likely to miss deadlines and have more energy to focus on getting your work done.

Create goals for yourself

Writing down goals for yourself is a good way to maintain a good work-life balance. Try and make these achievable and within a reasonable timeframe, as this helps you keep yourself accountable.

Placing the written list of goals somewhere you can look at is also beneficial, as you can visualise the goal. For example, an ambition in your personal life could be to learn a new language or explore your neighbourhood.

Work-life goals can include achievements such as earning a promotion, completing a big project, or simply getting to know your team better. Having these goals can give more structure to your day and stop you from getting distracted from what matters.

Make time for loved ones and hobbies

Though having a successful career may be satisfying, it is important to know when to switch off. Prioritising relationships with those your closest to you is a good way to maintain a work-life balance and allows you to be more present in the moment.

Make sure to book some holiday from work, as this gives you a chance to relax and recharge doing things you enjoy. You could spend the time relaxing at home, taking a trip, or visiting loved ones back home.

It is not only planned holidays when you can enjoy time away work. Before the working day, in the evening, or on the weekends are all opportunities to focus on something other than your extensive to-do list in the office.

Taking time away from work can mean you’re more productive and energised when you come back. You can appreciate quality moments with family and friends in your downtime and still thrive in your professional life.

Check out our blog for more information on why work life balance is so important for expats.

Firmly separate personal and professional time

Separating your personal and professional time can also help you maintain a healthy work-life balance when working abroad. When you spend too much time at work, then you can soon find yourself missing out on occasions with your loved ones.

One way to achieve separation is to avoid checking work emails outside of your normal working hours, and if you have a work phone, switch it off in your downtime. This prevents you from absently scrolling through work-related content at every hour of the day.

If you work remotely, set up a designated space for working that is away from your general living area. This means you then only associate it with your professional life and can enjoy your time off in another part of the property.

From time to time, it is understandable that you may have to work long hours to meet deadlines or complete a large project, but try not to let it become a habit. When you’re finished for the day, shut down your computer and refocus your energy on something un-work related to take your mind off your responsibilities.

FHave you thought about international health insurance?

If you’re moving abroad for work, you could consider purchasing international expat health insurance. This is designed to cover your medical needs overseas and includes benefits such as fast access to specialist consultations, cancer care and GP appointments.

To get a quote for an international health insurance plan today, click here.