Navigating Work-Life Balance: Strategies for Successful Women Executives

One of the greatest challenges women executives face is striking an effective work-life balance, particularly in the insurance and finance sectors. As we look ahead to our prestigious Round Table for C-Suite Women in Insurance and Finance in September, we look at how women can effectively manage their work-life balance and suggest some tools and mindsets that can help develop a healthy approach. 

What is a good work-life balance?

According to a recent report a good work-life balance now tops the list of priorities for UK workers with 63% preferring a more balanced life over higher pay (39%). 71% of all those surveyed also said that having a good work-life balance was the most important part of job satisfaction and that it was their main priority when considering a new role.

A good work-life balance consists of several factors including the ability to work flexible hours, being able to work from anywhere, and more paid time off.

The report also noted that workers in the UK are among the least likely to be offered work from home or another location without taking time off – just 37% of people working in the UK feel able to take a ‘workcation’, compared to 93% in India and 58% in the USA and Japan, despite the proven advantages of flexibility such as increased job satisfaction and better competitive advantage.

• Being able to complete all your work-related tasks on deadline and still have the time for outside interests such as family, friends and hobbies
• Being able to sleep properly and maintain a balanced diet
• Being able to switch off when you’re not at work.

Yet around 31% of employees still feel they lack a good work-life balance.

Why is a good work-life balance important?

Reaching a good work-life balance is vital for good mental and physical health. Stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 17.1 million work days lost in 2022/23 with an average person taking almost 20 days off because of their symptoms.

Working people who achieve a healthy balance manage their stress better and reduce their risk of developing chronic conditions such as anxiety, depression or heart disease. Maintaining that balance promotes mental resilience and well-being, helping people cope more easily with the demands of their professional and personal lives and avoiding burnout.

A work-life balance also brings individuals greater job satisfaction, higher motivation, improved performance and productivity and heightened loyalty to an organisation.
For organisations, supporting a healthy work-life balance amongst employees leads to being viewed more favourably amongst potential talent, helping to attract and retain the best possible people.

Tools and mindsets to help

For women, particularly those working in the finance industry, maintaining a healthy and effective work-life balance is more vital than ever before. A survey from Bloom UK found that 93% of women working in communications said a lack of work-life balance had a negative impact on their mental health, and we believe that this applies to women in finance too. As we discussed in our previous blog, women still shoulder a disproportionate burden of domestic and caregiving activities which, without being mindful of a good work-life balance, can impact their mental and physical health as well as impede career progression.

• Create boundaries: It can be difficult to close your laptop and switch off your work phone at the end of the day but creating clear and distinct boundaries between work time and personal time is essential in order to unwind and relax.
• Take a break:  Make sure you take regular breaks, for a drink of water or for some fresh air outside the office. A short walk or a healthy snack can help you maintain focus when you’re back at your desk. Make sure you also take time for a proper lunch.
• Prioritise downtime: Whether it’s spending quality time with your children, or curling up with a good book, relaxation is essential for good mental health. Try to schedule some into every day and make sure that you don’t feel guilty for taking some time for yourself. You’re important too.
• Practice mindfulness:  Investigate relaxation techniques to help you reduce your stress levels. Daily yoga or meditation, even for a few minutes, can help you develop resilience and enable you to maintain focus and calm even at the busiest times.
• Ask for help: If your work schedule is becoming too much for you and you’re struggling to complete your given tasks, speak to your line manager or HR about it. They may be unaware of the pressures you’re under. In the same vein, don’t be afraid to delegate to reduce pressure, and learn how to say ‘no’ to additional responsibilities you don’t have time for. This applies at home as well as at work.

We’ll be discussing these issues and many more in our exclusive September round table event which will bring together C-suite women to discover what more needs to be done to help women progress in their careers and empower rising talent. Contact Us.