After a challenging and disruptive year, the need for a healthy work-life balance is crucial more than ever to protect ourselves from burnout by taking regular breaks.
And chances are, we’re overdue for a break! While working from home is certainly a change from the norm, it’s not the same as taking time off, and has not necessarily improved work-life balance for most Brits. In fact, a YouGov study shows only 44% of people report feeling happy in the second half of 2020, compared to 75% who feel stressed and frustrated.
The team at Instant Offices reveals how Brits can strategically plan their annual leave ahead using upcoming long weekends and bank holidays to maximise time off of up to a whopping 41 days off in 2021.
To improve your work-life balance next year, find out how you can double your downtime and strategically book a few annual leave days in advance, according to Instant Offices:
The Benefits of Mid-Year Breaks for a healthy work-life balance
Maximise Your Holiday Leave in 2021
January
Take a 10-day holiday by booking 4 days off
(1 Jan – 9 Jan)
April
Take a 10-day holiday by booking 4 days off
(2 Apr – 11 Apr)
May
Take a 9-day holiday by booking 4 days off and a 3 day weekend
(1 May – 9 May)
(29 May – 31st May)
August/Sept
Take a 9-day holiday by booking 4 days off
(28 Aug – 6 Sept)
December/January 2022
Take a 10-day holiday by booking 3 days off
(23 Dec – 3 Jan)
Working Smarter, Not Harder
When you’re overworked or overwhelmed it’s easy to fall into the habit of ‘always working’ rather than working smart. It’s vital to be able to switch off from work for a while and use downtime to socialise with loved ones, not only to relax your mind but to reset your attention span, improve happiness and renew your creative focus.
Avoid Burnout
Feeling inefficient, exhausted, anxious, disengaged, cynical and even excessively critical of yourself at work are all signs of burnout. Before reaching this extreme point in your career, it’s essential to take preventative measures, and one of the best ways to do this is by taking strategic and regular breaks. By taking the time to focus on physical and mental health, it enables you to bring your A-game at work.
Reset Your Work/Life Balance
Setting clear boundaries so that work stress doesn’t spill over into everyday life can be difficult, but it’s imperative to push the off button and take a step back to focus on the things that really matter – travel, spending time with loved ones, improving yourself, helping others and…lots of napping!
Increase Your Value at Work
Some companies place value in the ‘first to come in, last to leave’ style of working from their employees but, in truth, this culture only leads to burnout and reduced productivity over time. Rather than being the person who spends the most time at work, focus on being the person who brings the most value to each task by being sharp, thoughtful and enthusiastic.