by Sun Meilan

Created on: September 02, 2010   Last Updated: May 06, 2011

It is easy to become totally absorbed in your work, especially if things are going well and you enjoy what you are doing. However, it is important to ensure that you have a proper work/life balance; otherwise you could find yourself struggling. There are a number of reasons why it is important to remember there is more to life than work. 

Strained relationships

Everyone needs other people, whether they like it or not. However, if work becomes the number one priority, then relationships with friends and family can become distant and strained. People don't like to be neglected and you may find that they become more and more withdrawn, possibly to the point that you lose touch or seriously damage the relationship. Don't forget that work colleagues aren't necessarily your friends and shouldn't replace your loved ones. 

Health is more important than wealth

Working hard may bring in plenty of money, but if you don't have the health to enjoy what it can buy, then there isn't a great deal of point to it. If you work too hard, you probably neglect yourself, gaining weight and not getting enough exercise. Ailments are ignored until they are serious because you are just too busy to deal with them. Over time, this can cause a lot of damage to your health, and all because you wanted more money. 

Jobs can be lost

You may think that your job is safe, despite the recession, especially if you work in an area that is considered to be recession-proof. However, you never know how things could pan out. You could unexpectedly lose your job and then be unable to find a new one, at least in the short-term. With no job, and no interests outside of work, you are likely to struggle with life. You could become depressed, or turn to alcohol; at the very least, you will find yourself seriously bored. If you have a life outside of work, however, that will keep you going until you find your next job. 

Time is precious

Life doesn't go on for ever. At some point, you will die and before that, you could find yourself ill or suffering from mobility issues. Then, you will be limited as to what you can do. While you are still relatively young and able, you should take the time to ensure that you lead a balanced life and see something of the world, rather than spending your life working. Ensure you don't reach old age or infirmity and then realise that you have missed out on much of life. 

Stress and burnout

Variety is the spice of life. Spending all your time concentrating on one part of your life is likely to lead to stress and burnout at one point or another. If, on the other hand, you have a great family life and lots of interests, then a stressful job is less likely to take over your life. Should the stress become so great that you need to take time off work, your friends and family will be there to support you and recovery should be much quicker. 

If your work/life balance in seriously weighted towards work, then do something about it before it is too late. Work should never become the only thing in your life. 

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