What are the benefits of work-life balance?

When a company promotes work-life balance for its employees, it benefits the employees, their families, and that all-important bottom line. A corporation that focuses on work-life balance provides a "benefits package" that does not add to the cost of payroll, so everyone wins. Encouraging self-care, stress reduction, and wellness gives enormous and lasting benefits to the growth and prosperity of every company. How can a corporation be "successful" if its success comes at the expense of its workers? How can a corporation be successful it if does not root itself in the principles of work-life balance? True work-life balance benefits the employees, their families, the corporation, the community, and the world. We must come together in both our homes and our businesses to discover a higher purpose in or lives. We can now live intentional lives and experience true happiness and balance.

Individuals who experience a high amount of workplace stress or who are in psychologically demanding professions are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal disorders. Individuals who do not permit themselves to have rewarding experiences outside of work or who have employers who do not promote a work/life balance are at an increased risk for a variety of psychological disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive compulsive disorder.

A 1992 paper by Spence and Robbins identified three primary psychological characteristics of a workaholic: a high level of involvement with work, high motivation for work, and significant emotional involvement in work. The study found a larger prevalence of health concerns in workaholics as compared to the general population. In addition, the researchers characterized workaholics as scoring high in perfectionism, job stress, and difficulty in delegating responsibility. This study was the cornerstone of more recent research on workaholism.

The Work Addiction Risk Test (WART) is a 25 question self-assessment tool that was developed in order to assist individuals in examining their work/life balance. The test helps a person evaluate tendencies that promote workaholism and may, if left unchecked, increase the likelihood for career burnout. Factors such as over-committing, feeling impatient, difficulty relaxing, and not having enough time with friends and families are all areas addressed by the Work Addiction Risk Test.

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