Best Countries For Work-Life Balance

Many of us have been told all our lives how important it is to have a work-life balance, but that’s often easier said than done. Having time to manage family life and other relationships along with self-care and work has proven to be a pretty daunting task. Depending on where you live, it’s not uncommon to know someone (or be someone) who works more than the standard 40-hours per week with little time to do much else that’s not work related. However, the following are just a few countries around the world that continue to strive to do what they can so that their residents have as much of a balance between work and play as possible.

Denmark
Danes certainly pride themselves on having a work-life balance, and it shows. According to the OECD, Denmark has a work-life balance rating of 9.1, and when it comes to the hours worked, only 2% of employees say they work long hours which is incredibly low, especially in comparison to the 13% OECD average. Employees also get a minimum of five weeks paid vacation, and where, in many places, it’s the norm to still be working when the sun goes down, it’s frowned upon to work overtime in Denmark.

The Netherlands
The OECD puts the Netherlands at a whopping 9.4 rating in terms of work-life balance. It may have a little something to do with the fact that reportedly only about 0.5% of employees are clocking in long hours. According to CNN Money, the average hours worked per week in the Netherlands is 29-hours, but the average annual pay is $47,000. It’s also not uncommon for residents to work part time rather than have full-time jobs.

Sweden
Sweden is another country that strives to have a good work-life balance. They usually have a minimum of five paid weeks vacation per year, and working overtime isn’t the norm. There are also quite a few businesses in Sweden that are opting for a 6-hour work day rather than the standard 8. The OECD has Sweden with a work-life balance rating of 8.5, and it’s reported that only 1% of Swedes are working long hours.

Finding Work-Life Balance
There are many, many people out there who would scoff if you asked them if they had a good work-life balance and probably state that their life is more work and less play. So what are you supposed to do? There are adjustments that everyone can start making to help achieve more of the work-life balance that they desire. For example, scheduling time each week to spend time with family, exercise, and have personal time is important. You can also see if your employer would allow more flexible hours or for you to telecommute. Also, if you don’t enjoy spending time with a certain person or doing a particular activity, then don’t. Life is too short to waste time on anything that’s going to pull down your mood. Lastly, don’t be afraid to step away from the electronics. Consider trying to be more present without a cell phone or laptop always within eyesight.