Work-life balance is something companies, and employees have been striving for over the last several decades. According to Ron Cardenas, a human resources expert based in Omaha, Nebraska, creating this equilibrium may take time, but it is definitely worth the effort. However, Cardenas introduces a slightly different twist to the balance of work and personal life he refers to as Work-Life Blend. Work-Life “Blend” is somewhat different and requires cooperation among employers and employees. Enjoying Work-Life Blend is not just about creating a balance of where an employee spends their time, whether it be at work or away from work. Rather, it enables the “blending” of work and personal life such that there is less sacrifice on the part of the employee to choose one over the other.
For instance, given the busy schedules of employees, parents, and children, there are often events that happen simultaneously with the traditional work-day. Employers that allow employees to enjoy this blend understand that there are times when a child’s school event or ballgame happens during the work-day, or the employee may have to run to an appointment or get in a workout during work hours. A Work-Life Blend environment allows for this. Of course, there is some give and take from the employee’s standpoint as well. For instance, there may be a business call or some minor work project in the evening or on the weekend, which the employee agrees to take on. This trade-off makes it possible. There must also be the agreement that in this environment of mutual trust, there is an understanding that the work product is very important, and the employee must be fully effective in their job for this to work. Of course, this only works for certain positions, and employers have to be cognizant of labor laws, but incorporating this environment builds trust as well as employee engagement and has lasting returns.
Below, Cardenas shares what he believes are four benefits of incorporating a reasonable Work-Life Blend.
1. Mental Health
If you constantly feel stressed out and under pressure, your brain cannot cope well with negativity or obstacles that come your way. As time goes on, this inability to manage difficulties will wear on your mental health to the point you can’t function well.
But when you give your mind the downtime it needs to process and reset fully, then you get a chance to deal with challenges better. That creates positive outcomes and improves your mental wellbeing.
2. Physical Health
Sitting in front of a computer screen all day and then television (or that same computer screen) all evening is a recipe for disaster when it comes to your physical health. The human body is built to move, so sitting in the same position day in and day out can cause muscle deterioration, poor posture, and weight gain.
Not only that, if you feel like you always have to sacrifice personal time for work, you’re not likely to eat as healthily, get poor sleep, and forgo regular exercise— all things our bodies need to stay physically healthy.
3. Productivity
When you’re doing well mentally and physically, it becomes easier to be more productive, both at work and home. Many people associate productivity with time management or other strategies to help them stay focused. But none of those strategies will be effective if you’re stressed, tired, hungry, or all of the above.
The great thing about productivity is that once you can grasp it, it will continue to make everything else better as it saves you time, energy, and stress. Plus, those good feelings that come from achieving tasks will motivate you even further.
4. Creative Thinking
With digital technology dominating our everyday lives, regardless of where we are, it’s becoming rarer and rarer that our brains get to “take a break” from the action. When our brains receive too much input from interactions, social media, texts, emails, phones, etc., we never have a chance to get any creative juices flowing.
Sometimes, your brain needs a five-minute break where it doesn’t have to process anything to produce some creative thinking. That opportunity for creative thinking allows us to solve problems we’ve been stuck on for days or think of a new and innovative approach to a topic. As a result, you’re often more productive and have more positive experiences, making it even more straightforward to maintain that Work-Life Blend.
About Ron Cardenas
Ron Cardenas is the Vice President of Human Resources at an agriculture holdings company in Omaha, Nebraska. He earned his bachelor’s degree in science from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, and an MBA from Regis University in Denver, Colorado.