Work-life balance and its impact on health

With the level of competition heightening between employees within nearly every industry, and with the costs of living rising uncomfortably, it is easy for workers to find themselves working extra hours. However, this overtime negatively affects numerous aspects of one's life over time, including family and health. The latter is immensely important to consider; health even affect's one's performance at the workplace. Employees should be aware of the impact overworking may have on health in order to strike a healthy balance between work, home, and family.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost half of the workers in the United States worked 50 or more hours a week in 2007 (Hildebrand). The line between work and home lives has blurred with the development of faster and more pervasive technologies, and changing family structures and workplace demands (Mayo Clinic). It is more difficult for employees to leave work at work, which often results in worsened health.

Maintaining good health is important not just to the individual, but also to work and family. For instance, poor health may result in decreased productivity and low-quality work. This in turn may result in less money for family and other expenses.

Work-life professionals have realized the importance of health and well-being in the workplace. In a survey by the Alliance for Work-Life Progress (AWLP), respondents indicated that the areas of health and well-being and workplace flexibility would receive the most attention from their organizations (Wolters Kluwer). This is because the National Study of the Changing Workforce showed that employees in workplaces with high levels of flexibility are both mentally and physically healthier than those in more rigid places of work.

As a result, many workplaces offer health-related services for employees, including weight-loss, exercise, and work-life programs (Hildebrand). Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) offered by many employers also exist to provide assistance to workers, and usually those services are free and confidential (MayoClinic).

However, the responsibility for improving and maintaining one's health is mostly that of the individual. Small lifestyle changes can make all the difference; for instance, getting the recommended number of hours of sleep may improve health, as insufficient sleep combined with stress or other factors can weaken the immune system. Exercise can counter the deleterious effects of hours sitting in front of a computer by improving self-esteem and warding off disease, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes (Zelman). People should try to be physically active for at least an hour a day. Also, as a healthy diet may be difficult to achieve when working full-time, perhaps with other commitments involved as well, employees should ensure they have plenty of healthy snacks and water on hand while avoiding fatty and heavy cafeteria meals and vending-machine garbage (Hildebrand).

Reducing stress is the key to better health as related to work. Stress can affect sleep and may cause sleep deprivation (Foote). What may begin as small ailments, such as headaches or backaches, may result in something much more serious. Working more than the typical eight hours can result in an unhealthy amount of stress, and for workers in certain professions, health risks. Workers should ensure they are sufficiently supported by consulting friends, family, and health professionals, whether they are doctors or counselors. They should also prioritize and manage time wisely while taking enough time off from work to give mind and body a rest (Hildebrand).

By improving personal health, an employee can ensure that he or she is able to continue working and provide for family.

Works Cited

Foote, Jennifer. "Achieving Work-Life Blaance #2: Long Work Hours and the Impact It May Have On Your Family." Stepcase Lifehack. 5 Apr 2006. 2 Aug 2008. . Path: Lifehack; Lifestyle.

Harnois, Gaston, and Phillis Gabriel. "Mental health and work: Impact, issues and good practices." World Health Organization. 2000. 2 Aug 2008.

Hildebrand, Deborah S. "The Impact of Work on Health: Ten Ways to Maintain Balance." Suite101.com. 2 Nov 2007. 2 Aug 2008.

Mayo Clinic staff. "Work-life balance: Ways to restore harmony and reduce stress." Mayo Clinic. 31 May 2008. 2 Aug 2008.

"Work-life balance focus is shifting to employee health and well-being, flexibility." Wolters Kluwer Law & Business. 30 Jun 2006. 2 Aug 2008.

Zelman, Kathy, MPH, RD/LD. "Benefits of Exercise: Control Your Weight, Prevent Disease, Improve Your Health." MedicineNet.com. 2008. 2 Aug 2008.