Do you enjoy what you do?

Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, a CEO in an office, or a remote freelance worker traveling from coffee shop to coffee shop, you’re health and happiness is impacted by the work you do. This dimension refers to how satisfied you are with your work, and how you manage to make time for fun, too. Keeping your work and play healthy and balanced involves finding real value and satisfaction in what you do.

When you’re healthy in this dimension, day-to-day, you probably feel good about your work. You may have great ways to deal with stress, and you set boundaries so that you’ve got energy and time for leisure activities and hobbies. If you struggle with your work health, you may feel stressed and tired by your work, or feel like it takes up too much of your time.

Your work affects the other health dimensions

• Work → mind: Being challenged and engaged by your work means you are also keeping your mind stimulated and healthy.
• Work → purpose: Matching your work to your values keeps you aligned with your purpose in life.
• Work → finances: Making sure you are paid fairly, and given raises when you deserve one, can help you reach your financial goals.
  

Improve your work health

We love the idea of “quick fixes” and we’re often conditioned to jump in and make drastic changes, but research shows that starting small micro-habits over time can have a lasting impact. We really encourage you to dive into improving the health of your work dimension with energy and curiosity. Start small, be consistent and patient, and acknowledge (and celebrate!) your accomplishments. Three things to do to improve your work health today:

1. Simplify! If you’re a multitasker, try to focus on one task at a time. Set a specific time period, (like 30 min) and work with undivided attention. After the time’s up, take a 5-10 min break to check emails, news, social media…or go for a walk! 🙂 After, restart the cycle of focused work followed by a short break.
2. Disconnect from tech! Don’t let work emails and calls interrupt your time off. Switch off your work notifications on your phone and give your undivided attention to your loved ones and home life.
3. Expand your skills! Sign up for an online course or subscribe to a blog that will help you learn new things. Set a specific time each week to work on it.

Work health is really important, but it’s just one part of your whole health picture.

Read about all eight dimensions of health. They overlap, intertwine, and impact one another. If you’re doing well in each of these dimensions, you’ll stay healthier and happier. Also, check out Carebook’s Facebook page where we’re building a healthy, happy community. We’d love to hear your ideas and experiences about your work health.

Learn more

1. 15 Ways to Increase Productivity at Work
2. 6 Tips For Better Work-Life Balance
3. Maintaining Your Sense of Self as a Stay-At-Home Mom

References

1. Park DC, Lodi-Smith J, Drew L, Haber S, Hebrank A, Bischof GN, et al. The Impact of Sustained Engagement on Cognitive Function in Older Adults: The Synapse Project. Psychol Sci. 2014 Jan;25(1):103–12.
2. Lee J, Cho D, Suh YJ. Purpose and Meaning in Life and Job Satisfaction Among the Aged. Int J Aging Hum Dev. 2017 Dec;85(4):377–402.
3. Lally P, Gardner B. Promoting habit formation. Health Psychol Rev. 2013 May;7(sup1):S137–58.
4. Adler RF, Benbunan-Fich R. Juggling on a high wire: Multitasking effects on performance. Int J Hum-Comput Stud. 2012 Feb;70(2):156–68.