Topic: Making friends as an adult. Description: Go to Bars, clubs, play sports, join a social club, get hobbies. Topic: Avoiding depression. Description: Make friends, get out more, have a social life. Topic: Find a hobby. Description: Try to reconnect with what you did as a kid. Topic: What hobbies could I do? Description: Card games, building wooden ships, drawing, sports, painting miniatures, video games, join a local political chapter. ADVICE FEB. 2, 2024 ‘How Do I Make Friends As an Adult?’ Portrait of J.P. Brammer By J.P. Brammer, a Cut contributor and author of the “Hola Papi” column. ¡HOLA PAPI! The preeminent LGBTQ advice column from writer and author John Paul Brammer. Illustration: Pedro Nekoi This column first ran in John Paul Brammer’s Hola Papi newsletter, which you can subscribe to on Substack. ¡Hola, Papi! A good friend has a birthday coming up, and the invitation says to bring: A. Any receptacle to drink from that is NOT a cup, and B. A “rare friend” that hasn’t been introduced to other folks at the party (queer friends preferred). I can do one, but not the other. Besides online friends who live hundreds of miles away, I only have one core group of friends who I adore and who have been my entire social life for the past seven years. I’m not opposed to having relationships outside of these, but it hasn’t really happened in a solid way yet. I don’t feel lacking in love, but I do feel deficient at forging new relationships. I’m out of practice! I’m also one of those annoying people who never meets anyone from an app. I want it to happen organically. I’m not disinterested in the people I meet through work or elsewhere, but I’ve never really been able to take it beyond work or occasional run-ins. The other thing is that I’m pretty sure this rule for the party is meant to encourage me, specifically, to message someone from a previous job I had a crush on. There was definitely a spark in our connection that could have turned into something deeper. When I left that job, I told him, “I’d still love to see you or hang out sometime!” But he never reached back out to say hello when the ball was in his court. I’d feel strange reaching out to him now after so long to be like, “Hey! Haven’t spoken to you since October, but do you want to come to a party with me at a stranger’s house where you know literally nobody and we all drink wine out of frying pans and shit?” This guy is just as awkward as me, and I know I wouldn’t be too eager to say yes. If he says no, I’m out of work crushes as options for invites. I’m pretty sure he’s not even queer, either. I get the sense I’ve already failed the prompt. How do I do any of this? Sincerely, Stuck in my Shell Hey there, Stuck! Mi abuelita did not drop out of the fourth grade and pick fruit in this country for me to drink Josh wine out of a “receptacle,” but that’s just my opinion on the party theme. Other than that, it sounds fun. I’ve answered questions like this before, but now is a great opportunity for me to put all my thoughts in one place because I, too, am an adult in the process of making friends, and I’m learning a lot as I go. So here it is, my friendship field guide for people whose backs are just starting to make alarming noises. I like the bullet-list thing you were doing. I’m going to do that too. A.You’re not imagining things. This is hard. There are many obstacles in our way to making genuine connections with others. Work, for starters, has encroached deeper into our personal lives. In other words, work is everywhere, and hanging with co-workers can feel like … more work. Romance and serendipity, meanwhile, are being siloed into a digital-app landscape where it’s easier than ever to dismiss people and flake on plans. We tend to feel next to no obligation to collections of pixels. On top of all that, there’s the regular “life stuff,” the health stuff, the kaleidoscopic variety of crises both big and small that can disrupt a day, a month, a year. Yes, this is difficult. But it’s not impossible, and there are things you can do to expand your circle and get to know people. B.Draw from your existing network. Odds are good that if you like your friends, you’ll enjoy (at least some of) your friends’ friends. You’ve already got a core group of pals. One thing I’ve done is tell my friends that I’d like to meet some new people. I’ve also arranged playdates between friends of mine who I think would enjoy each other. I’ve actually gotten incredibly good at this. I’ve spawned at least three thriving group chats with my machinations. I should launch a business as a platonic matchmaker. Reach out to people you already know. They don’t have to be your besties. If you get good vibes from someone, pursue that. Arrange a little activity, like going to a park or a museum or seeing a show. If there’s something you were going to do anyway, invite someone! C.Do an activity you enjoy, and do it regularly. The keyword here is “regularly.” I find that repeated exposure to a group of people is a reliable way to make contact. I’ve started going to a video-game night at a bar, and I’ve made a few buddies that way. I also have fitness classes, and I know people who’ve had some success with online book clubs. The point is, take something you already like doing, and find a community that’s formed around that thing. It gives you a common interest and a jumping-off point to get to know each other better. D.Remember, friendships have to be nurtured. I think some people mistake friendship as just two people who enjoy each other. Sure, that’s part of it. But real bonds involve obligations, and to form one, you have to make time for each other. It takes effort. It takes sacrifice. You might even have to go to an open mic night. Part of being an adult is recognizing that sometimes you have to roll up your sleeves and actually show up. Friendships are living things. They need nourishment and care to thrive. Yes, it sounds very tempting to just follow your nightly routine of watching anime and not having to “go somewhere” or “do something,” but unfortunately, there are good things outside of our comfort zones, and we will occasionally have to venture out to find them. E.Put your ego aside. Everything above is all well and good, but you know, Stuck, I understand. Putting yourself out there is scary. It feels like setting yourself up for rejection. And, you know what? It kind of is. A lot of us are barely hanging on by a thread as it is, and the idea of having to tangle with negative feedback in the form of silence or being rebuffed outright is incredibly unappealing. But rejection isn’t an inherently bad thing. Rejection is part of a process of getting to the stuff you’re meant for, the stuff that’s yours. If we knew exactly where we were meant to be and exactly what we were meant to be doing with precisely the people we were supposed to be doing it all with, our lives would look radically different. But we don’t. We have to figure all of that out for ourselves, and part of figuring it out looks like getting things wrong. It looks like failing. It looks like being told, “No.” Like so many things in life, the process of making friends ends up being a reflection of who we are, and we may see things in it we don’t like. We may encounter neediness, insecurity, vanity, and other perceived flaws in ourselves. But it’s also a process in which we can practice confidence, a skill that can be applied in everything we do. And, yes, it’s a skill. It’s not an inherent trait. Confidence is something you do, something you decide to embrace. Give it a try. F.Be shameless. As I said from the jump, this is hard, and there are many barriers we have to overcome to make genuine connections. You will occasionally have to bite the bullet and be the brave one, the one who reaches out. Yes, when I do this, I can feel like a clown. But sometimes you have to honk, honk your big rubber nose and admit to yourself and to the world: I want to make friends. And you know, I think a lot of people feel like that clown inside. They feel lonely and they want to reach out, but they don’t want to act on it because they’re afraid, or it makes them feel like a loser, or like they’re desperate. I get it. No one wants to be the one to show their cards first. But I’ll leave you with this, Stuck. I recently lost a good friend who tragically passed away, and it put a lot of things into perspective for me. I realized there were all these things I could have shared with my friend. We could have made more memories, gotten even closer, talked more. Life is a brief, precious thing. While I’m here, while I can, I want to meet the people who make it worth it. I’m not fully sold on the idea that “consciousness” was a great move by the cosmic forces that be, but here I am, and I think I enjoy it most when I’m sitting with people I like, and people who like me. You know what? I retract what I said up top. Drink wine out of a frying pan with your pals! Invite your former co-worker. If he accepts, great! If he doesn’t, keep it pushing. There’s only so much life, so much time. Ask someone to get ice cream with you. Stay warm. Con Mucho Amor, Papi Originally published on January 25, 2024. Between working, parenting, and just trying to catch your breath, finding a hobby might seem like the last thing on your mind. But having a hobby isn't just fun. It's also a fantastic way to unwind, expand your interests, and meet new people. Here’s how. Understand your interests The first step to finding a new hobby is understanding what you're genuinely interested in. You can do this by reflecting on past activities that have brought you joy. Maybe you enjoyed painting as a child or loved hiking during college. Whatever it is, let your past passions guide you toward your new hobby. Try out different hobbies Once you've identified your interests, it's time to explore. Try out a few different hobbies. You might surprise yourself by discovering a passion for something completely unexpected. From gardening to coding to dancing, the world of hobbies is vast and exciting. Join a hobby community Finding a hobby is often more fun when you're not doing it alone. Consider joining a hobby community where you can share your experiences, learn from others, and even make new friends. Ask your family, friends, or neighbors for recommendations. Check local recreation centers, neighborhood associations, community colleges, or church groups. There are also plenty of online communities, such as Meetup, where you can connect with like-minded hobby enthusiasts. Frequently asked questions Q: I'm busy. How can I find time for a hobby? A: Start small. Dedicate a few minutes each day or an hour a week to your hobby. As you get more comfortable, you can gradually increase this time. Q: I don't know what my interests are. How can I find a hobby? A: Experiment with a few different things. Explore various hobbies until you find something that sparks joy. Q: How can I afford to start a new hobby? A: Many hobbies don't require a huge upfront investment. For example, joining a weekly game like Bingo or Mahjong is often only a few dollars per session. Drawing only requires paper and pencil to figure out if you want to learn more. Start with what you have and slowly build up your hobby supplies as needed. Q: I tried a few hobbies, but none of them stuck. What should I do? A: That's okay! Exploration is the idea. Not every hobby will be a perfect fit. Continue exploring different activities, and remember that the goal is enjoyment, not perfection. Q: Can my hobby turn into a career? A: Many people have turned their passions into profitable careers. But the beauty of hobbies is they’re primarily for personal enjoyment. Q: Do hobbies need to be productive? A: The primary purpose of a hobby is to create space for relaxation, enjoyment, or self-expression. It doesn't necessarily have to be productive. Q: How can I motivate myself to consistently pursue my hobby? A: Setting aside specific time for your hobby can help. Also, joining a community of people who share the same hobby can provide motivation and support. Q: How can I balance my hobby with my responsibilities? A: Start by dedicating a small amount of time to your hobby and adjust as necessary. It's all about finding a balance that works for you. Q: Can I have more than one hobby? A: Why not? Having multiple hobbies offers variety and can keep things interesting. Q: What are some inexpensive hobbies to start with? A: Some cost-effective hobbies include drawing, reading, jogging, gardening, meditation, or learning a new language online. Q: How can hobbies benefit my mental health? A: Hobbies can act as a form of stress relief, provide a sense of accomplishment, and enhance creativity, all of which can positively impact mental health. Q: How can I involve my family or friends in my hobby? A: You could suggest a group activity that aligns with your hobby, like a book club for reading or a nature walk for photography. Sharing your hobby can be a great way to bond with loved ones. Finding a hobby as an adult might seem like an indulgence, but adding more joy and fulfillment to your life is important. Make time, even if it’s minutes, to explore your interests, try out different hobbies, join a community, and allow yourself to have fun. You deserve it! Keep discovering! Visit the Greenlight Learning Center for more helpful tips and resources on creating your best life. Blog Productivity How to find a hobby that fulfills you: 4 examples By Elizabeth Perry, ACC November 7, 2023 - 14 MIN READ SHARE THIS ARTICLE teacher-of-painting-class-showing-technique-to-woman-with-canvas-how-to-find-a-hobby Jump to section Why are hobbies important? Hobbies versus interests How to find a hobby as an adult How do I find a hobby when nothing interests me? Find a hobby to unlock happiness Having a hobby you enjoy keeps leisure time fulfilling. As a kid, you probably had a handful of hobbies and participated in extracurricular activities. Playing sports or being part of a school club was a regular rite of passage. But now that you’re an adult, your job likely consumes most of your week, and you might spend your free time scrolling through social media and watching TV shows you’ve already seen instead of trying new things. There’s nothing wrong with turning off your brain when you want to relax. But finding hobbies like you did when you were younger could bring you more joy and help you learn new skills during leisure time. Finding something you love to do — and sticking with it — takes curiosity and discipline. Here’s how to find a hobby as an adult. Why are hobbies important? Hobbies are more than just a way to spend your free time outside of work. And their benefits vary depending on what you decide to practice. One study found that 75% of people who made art had lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, after doing so. Creative hobbies such as watercolor painting and knitting are excellent ways to make art, reduce cortisol, and lower stress. They bring your attention to the task at hand, allowing you to free your mind and stop worrying. Besides the psychological benefits of being present and practicing creativity, hobbies positively affect your energy levels — particularly ones that involve exercise. One study found that those who participate in physical leisure activities are less susceptible to fatigue. Going on walks or attending fitness classes could wake you up and help you resist tiredness. And exercise reduces blood pressure, builds muscle mass, and improves your heart and lungs, boosting your overall physical health. Many hobbies also give you the chance to socialize, whether that’s hosting a weekly game night with family or making an effort to find new friends at social events. Human connection prevents loneliness, encourages resilience, and boosts your mental health, and hobbies that involve it give you the chance to build your social health. Transform your life Make meaningful changes and become the best version of yourself. BetterUp's professional Coaches are here to support your personal growth journey. Find your Coach Hobbies versus interests Although different hobbies and interests contribute to your personality, their roles in your daily life differ. An interest is a desire to learn something new. Unlike a hobby, an interest doesn’t require physical action. You may be interested in oil painting after viewing a gallery exhibition, or in cooking after visiting a great new restaurant. While interests are only intellectual, they give you a window into the types of hobbies you may want to try. A hobby is an enjoyable leisure activity you take part in consistently when you’re free from other responsibilities. What differentiates a hobby from an interest is that it extends beyond an intellectual desire and helps you engage in a physical action to learn, create, or build something. If ski competitions fascinate you — an interest — they might encourage you to take skiing lessons every weekend — a hobby. family-skiing-at-mountain-how-to-find-a-hobby How to find a hobby as an adult Numerous factors drive adult learning, such as financial incentives and professional development opportunities. But even though these external factors do motivate you, learning a new skill needs to personally fulfill and interest you if you’re going to stick with it. While most hobbies for adults do become activities that generate income or affect your career, their primary purpose is to create a sense of fulfillment. When no external motivation drives you to try a particular hobby, it’s challenging to know what new things to try and where to start. Look at a list of hobbies and interests for inspiration, or follow one of these tips: 1. Think about what you enjoyed doing when you were little As a child, there’s a good chance that curiosity and imagination dictated your interests. You likely tried new activities more often than you do as an adult and didn’t compare yourself to others quite as much as you might now. Think back to the activities you loved as a child. You may unlock interesting hobbies you’ll enjoy today. They could be the subjects you enjoyed the most in school or the activities you participated in at home. If you were a crafty child, artistic hobbies such as painting, sculpting, or textile art may appeal to you. If you loved performing skits for your family, you could try an improv group. If you were athletic and involved in school sports, you could join an adult recreational sports team that meets outside of working hours. Childhood is a fantastic place to find inspiration, and you might heal your inner child in the process. group-taking-acting-class-from-a-theatre-how-to-find-a-hobby 2. Consider your interests The exciting thing about interests is that you don’t need to be an expert. Focus on them, no matter how small, and see if you can turn any into hobbies to do after work. You could try gardening and growing food if you’re passionate about botany or sustainability. Or if you’re interested in fashion, some hobby examples include sewing and jewelry making. And watching someone else do an activity, either recreationally or for their career, and finding interest in their experience could indicate an activity you’d like to try. If you love watching Olympic figure skating, you could try taking a class. It doesn’t matter if you become an athlete. The process is the point. 3. Take an intro class Fear of failure and perfectionism might create barriers to trying new activities. But if you overcome your worries, you might surprise yourself. All it takes is a little self-confidence to dive in and show yourself you can do it. Intro classes are a great way to dip your toes in and see if something’s worth committing to. For activities requiring more extensive classes, many organizations offer your first one free or for a discount. If you’re unsure how to find one, try searching “classes” or “lessons” in your area. You’ll likely find everything from horseback riding to graphic design. man-and-woman-at-cooking-class-in-professional-kitchen-how-to-find-a-hobby 4. Take a quiz Finding a hobby you like is personal. What your friends and family members enjoy doing in their free time might not be the same for you. If you’re really stuck on what interests you, personality quizzes and assessments could give you some ideas. Taking a test to identify your personality type, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), shows you what hobbies (and even careers) could potentially suit you. The MBTI, for example, suggests that people who are ISFP are creative and curious, and ISFPs could start an artistic side hustle or make music to find fulfillment. But you don’t need to take a quiz to find your passion. All it takes is a little introspection. If you’re an extrovert who enjoys caring for others, volunteering could help you flex your social skills and serve people in your community. How do I find a hobby when nothing interests me? You’re not alone if you aren’t sure what you enjoy. It’s frustrating when you don’t know what to do with your life or your free time. But feeling stuck isn’t permanent. You just lack inspiration — and the best part about inspiration is that you can find it. Here are three ways to spark your curiosity: 1. Pay attention to the moments in your day that relax you A hobby doesn’t need to be your biggest passion. Spend your leisure time doing any activity that makes you happy or relaxes you. If your favorite part of the day is your cycling commute to work, biking in your free time to new destinations could be a great hobby. Or if you find yourself reading and writing, joining a book club or becoming a blogger are terrific creative outlets. 2. Join a friend If you need motivation and moral support to step outside your comfort zone, spending time with friends while they participate in their favorite hobbies may help you find one you enjoy. You could ask them to bring you along to an activity they think you’ll like — or even surprise you with something out-of-the-box. And if you and your friends are all unsure of what hobbies to try, choose an intro class to take together. You could also plan activity nights to explore new interests such as scrapbooking, board games, or fun DIY projects. man-and-woman-reading-at-book-club-in-library-how-to-find-a-hobby 3. Try a hobby related to your work If you enjoy your job, try something that connects to your career path. This is only a good option if doing work-related activities outside office hours serves as a form of excitement rather than exhaustion. Approach it with caution to avoid disrupting your work-life balance. But this option is worth a shot if you have a job you love and want to continue exploring. If you work in the hospitality industry, taking cooking classes or learning to make wine are potential hobbies. And if you’re a programmer who loves problem-solving, hobbies such as video games, rock climbing, and jigsaw puzzles might fulfill you. Find a hobby to unlock happiness Hobbies have extensive benefits for your physical and mental health. And knowing how to find a hobby can help you make the most of your free time. Whether you’re looking for an activity to take your mind off work or an active pastime with health benefits, there are endless options to explore. List of hobbies Page Talk Read Change Change source View history Tools From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This is a partial list of hobbies. A hobby is an activity, interest, enthusiasm, or amateur pastime that people do for pleasure or relaxation. It is usually done during one's leisure time. This list includes only recognized hobbies that have been the subject of published discussions or which have organized membership associations. Indoors An example of an amateur radio station with four transceivers, amplifiers, and a computer for logging and for digital modes. On the wall are examples of various awards, certificates, and a reception report card (QSL card) from a foreign amateur station. A vintage scrapbook Amateur radio Audiophilia Aquarium keeping Baking Bonsai Computer programming Cooking Creative writing Dance Drawing Basketball Gardening Genealogy Jewelry making Knapping Lapidary Locksport Musical instruments Painting Knitting Reading Scrapbooking Sculpting Sewing Singing Watching movies Watching television Woodworking Outdoor Hobbies Air sports Board sports Cycling Freerunning Hunting Jogging Kayaking Motor sports Mountain biking Parkour Playing with a pet Photography Rock climbing Running Sailing Sand castle building Sculling or Rowing Surfing Swimming Tai chi chuan Vehicle restoration Water sports Yoga Collection hobbies Indoors Antiquing Art collecting Coin collecting Element collecting Stamp collecting Vintage books Vintage clothing Record collecting Trading Cards collecting Outdoors Antiquities Auto audiophilia Fossil hunting Insect collecting Leaf collecting and pressing Metal detecting Mineral collecting Petal collecting and pressing Rock collecting Seaglass collecting Seashell collecting Competition hobbies Indoors Wrestling Bowling Boxing Chess Cheerleading Cubing Bridge Billiards Darts Fencing Gaming Handball Martial arts Table football Outdoors Airsoft American football Archery Association football Auto racing Badminton Baseball Basketball Climbing Cricket Cycling Disc golf Equestrianism Figure skating Fishing Foot-bag (also known as hacky sack) Golfing Gymnastics Ice hockey Kart racing Netball Paintball Racquetball Rugby league football Running Shooting Squash Surfing Swimming Table tennis Tennis Volleyball Observation hobbies Indoors Microscopy Reading Shortwave radios Outdoors Amateur geology Bird watching College football Geocaching Meteorology Parkour People watching Travel The Importance of Work-Life Balance Work-life balance has been in the news a lot recently... and rightly so! What does this mean for those in HR or leadership roles? It’s important to understand how key balance is to creating engaged and happy workers. A healthy work-life balance allows everyone to excel at work and take care of their personal wellbeing outside of the office. Let's find out how... Joe Wedgwood 20 September 2022 Pink Link Icon Importance of work-life balance Work-Life Balance in The News A study by Aviva has been causing a bit of a stir recently. It revealed that, since the pandemic, people have become more focused on work-life balance than salary. Aviva says, “More workers said they were attracted to their current role for the work-life balance (41%) than the salary (36%). This is a switch in rankings compared to 2019, before the pandemic.” Work plays a significant part in all our lives. Our earnings ensure that the lights stay on, there’s food on the table and the rainy-day pot is full. With the looming cost of living crisis and energy bills playing on everyone’s minds, no one is underplaying the importance of earning enough to make a living... it just makes achieving work-life balance that little bit harder! We’re growing increasingly more connected through technology and social media. For many, working from home has become the new normal. It's becoming more and more difficult to separate work from our personal lives. It's commonplace to check emails at all hours, take business calls at the dinner table and work on our laptops on weekends. How has this become acceptable? Employers expect more from their people, which leads to them feeling more pressure to achieve greater results. These pressures appear to have reached a breaking point, as people realise that they need to achieve better balance in their lives. As a business leader, you have a responsibility to help all your team juggle the demands of their work and personal lives. Even your most engaged employees may still be struggling to find balance… White play button icon How Important is Work-Life Balance? Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is not only important for health and relationships, but it can also improve your employee’s productivity, and ultimately performance. Put simply, if your people don’t view work as a chore, then they will work harder, make fewer mistakes and are more likely to become advocates for your brand. Businesses that gain a reputation for encouraging work-life balance have become very attractive – especially when you consider how difficult it can be to attract and retain younger workers these days. The Oxford Economic suggests, “Replacing an employee costs on average around £30,000 and it takes up to 28 weeks to get them up to speed.” Bearing this in mind, it might be a good idea to keep your existing employees happy. Focusing on work-life balance will help you draw a valuable talent-pool for new recruits and boost retention rates. It will save time and money, whilst ensuring a high level of in-house talent. Here are some more reasons why work-life balance is important for your people and your organisation: 1. Fewer Health Problems When we are stressed and overworked, we run the risk of jeopardising more than just our social lives – our physical and mental health is in danger too. It’s no secret that when we are overworked, tired or stressed – our health will suffer. A poor work-life balance can lead to a variety of symptoms that can affect our wellbeing. This ranges from the flu to serious health conditions like strokes and respiratory problems. A study conducted by UCL of more than 10,000 participants stated that white-collar workers who worked three or more hours longer than required had a 60% higher risk of heart-related problems than those who didn’t work overtime. By encouraging your people to look after themselves and find balance, you will significantly limit health problems and absences. This will ensure your organisation is more efficient during business hours and people want to be part of the business and culture. 2. More Engagement By helping your people to find the perfect balance between work and home, you will increase their engagement levels. This has many positive effects: According to Tower Perrin’s global survey; “Companies with highly-engaged employees had a near 52% gap in performance improvement in operating income.” Additionally – “Companies with high levels of employee engagement improved 19.2% in operating income while companies with low levels of employee engagement declined 32.7%.” Having an engaged workforce will lead to your people going the extra mile for you and becoming loyal advocates for your brand and product. This is evidenced by Temkin Group, who suggests that “engaged staff are 2.5 times more likely to stay at work late if something needs to be done after the normal workday ends.” 3. Fewer 'Burnouts' We all get stressed from time to time. It is unavoidable. However, workplace burnouts are avoidable, and you should make efforts to ensure this doesn’t happen to your people. Burnouts occur when we feel overwhelmed and unable to meet constant demands. The negative effects of burnout can affect every aspect of our lives. The inability to separate work from personal life will massively increase the chances of burnout, so it is important to encourage your team to take time off and truly relax. 4. More Mindfulness When we find and sustain a healthy work-life balance, we develop greater control over our focus and ability to concentrate on the task at hand – this is known as mindfulness. Wouldn’t you prefer a team that is fully focused on whatever they are doing, instead of worrying about work/home? By encouraging your people to have a healthy work-life balance, you will create an environment where everyone is dedicated to the task at hand. This will improve retention rates, productivity and ultimately profit. Now we know why it is important, let’s explore how you can ensure your people have a healthy work-life balance: Tips to Improve Work-Life Balance 1. Encourage Time Off: Holidays are not a luxury, annual leave is a necessity. A break from work will provide you with the chance to switch off and enjoy yourself, it is also a great opportunity to recuperate and recharge. This is essential to help your people improve productivity and focus when they return to the office. Numerous studies show that holidays increase company productivity and reduce stress. The American Sociological Association compiled a report, which suggests that a larger number of vacations lead to a decline in the psychological distress of people. An effective way to encourage your people to take time off is to implement a “use it or lose it” system – whereby any unused days will not be carried over at the end of the year or repaid financially. 2. Implement Short Breaks Throughout The Day: If taking time off isn’t an option for your people, then it is important to encourage small breaks throughout the day. The human body was not designed to stare at a bright screen for hours on end. It is not good for our health, or our mental wellbeing. To combat this, you could consider installing a games room where people can socialise and take their minds off work. Consider encouraging light exercise throughout the day and introducing walking meetings outside. You can even go out as a team to grab a coffee. Technology can also be helpful - invest in subscriptions to mindfulness or meditation apps to help calm and de-stress their people. All of these techniques will positively impact your teams’ work performance, productivity and workplace happiness. 3. Ask Employees For Guidance: If you are struggling to come up with innovative ways to improve your employees’ work-life balance, then why not ask them? If you notice that your people are struggling to find balance, then find out what changes they think would improve their situation. By collaborating with your team, you will get more insight into the way they think, and you will be able to work together on strategies more effectively in future. To help you facilitate these discussions, consider having regularly scheduled meetings, or implementing real-time cultural feedback programmes to provide you with data-driven insights. This way you can accurately gauge how your people are feeling at any given time and make adjustments to ensure that they have the right balance. 4. Practice What You Preach: Finally, it is important to lead by example. If you tell your people to shut off their laptops at six and not work over the weekend, but you’re sending them emails during these periods it sends a very mixed message. It also puts additional pressure on your people to mirror your working hours. Lead by example and witness how your work practices will permeate throughout the business. There is a law in France called the “Right to disconnect.” It ensures there are limits on the amount of work undertaken outside of office hours. Why not consider implementing something similar within your workplace? It is important to respect the balance and privacy of your team when they are not actively working. This means you should avoid contacting them outside of office hours to allow them to fully switch off, and recharge from everyday work stresses. Most of us will spend a massive percentage of our time at work. We let it take over and feed into all aspects of our lives. Bearing this in mind it is essential to find the right balance and implement it in your workplace. This will allow you and your people to switch off from work and give your personal lives equal measures of attention too. By loosening the reigns when it comes to your people’s work-life balance, you will make huge strides towards building an engaged and productive team.