5 ways to have a life outside of work

Published by: LifeWorks, 14th March 2019

As a manager, you probably put a great deal of focus on your team’s well-being, helping them to learn and develop themselves as individuals and within a work environment. But it’s also important to remember that you also have to take care of yourself as a manager and not neglect your health and well-being at work and home.

Here we look at five ways for taking care of yourself as a manager and set an excellent example for your team by promoting a healthy and happy lifestyle outside of work.

Successful managers strive to maintain workloads that motivate and maximize productivity—but don’t overload—both themselves and their teams.

• Be a role model by taking your vacation time each year. Remind and encourage employees to do the same. Ensure that enough cross training goes on so that employees can be truly away from work when they are on vacation and are not fearful of taking a vacation because of the work buildup that will occur when they are away.
• Encourage your employees to turn off work-related technology when they’re not working, if possible. Turn off texts, calls, and email from work when they’re off work. Adopt the same habits yourself, if possible.
• Don’t neglect your personal needs. Take care of yourself and encourage employees to do the same. Get adequate sleep. Eat a healthy diet. Get regular exercise. Take breaks. Make time for family and friends.
• Be familiar with your organization’s policies and programs that relate to work-life balance. Make sure employees are aware of the company’s work-life program or employee assistance program (EAP) and encourage them to use it.
• Promote healthy eating habits because employees who eat healthily tend to be more productive and generally healthier. What employees choose to eat throughout the day can either slow them down or fuel them for a productive workday. Maintaining a balanced diet helps employees feel more energized and focused by supplying them with the nourishment their bodies need to succeed. And you could lead by example by showing them how positive eating habits and a nutritious diet can offer physical and mental health benefits outside of work as well.

Did you know?

March is National Nutrition Month. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics introduced this campaign to encourage Americans to make informed nutritional choices and promote healthy eating and exercise habits. Now is a perfect opportunity to kick-start nutrition initiatives at your workplace and help motivate employees to engage in healthy eating habits — both at the office and home.