Is your work-life balance off? 10 signs you're stressed out

Feel like you don't have a good grasp on the balance between work life and home life? Here are 10 signs to look out for

Have you heard of that thing called (ahem) work-life balance? No doubt you have. But often, being able to keep your work at work and your home life separate isn’t always easy. When these worlds collide, stress crashes in, zapping your productivity and making everything else much more challenging.

It seems us Aussies aren’t very good at having any work-life balance. The annual APS Stress and Wellbeing Survey revealed today that, overall workplace wellbeing is down compared to 2011, as well as job satisfaction and work-life balance. And on average over the five years, 32 per cent of Australians reported workplace issues as a source of stress.

Stress does weird and bizarre things, and it doesn’t necessarily mean you should be lying on the floor in complete exhaustion. So how can you tell if things aren’t in alignment? Here are 10 signs it’s time to find more balance in your life.

1. You’re Miserable (Every Morning)

Do you go into anxiety-meltdown-mode every Sunday afternoon (or each night) at the thought of starting yet another day at work? Well, they don’t call it Mondayitis for no reason. If you dread going to work and the thought makes you unhappy, something isn’t right.

2. Your Desk and Home Is a Mess

Sometimes mess can be seen as a good thing. You know, for those who thrive on insanely cluttered and disorganised desks. But for the rest of us who don’t have a method for our madness, it might just mean we’re actually going mad. 

3. Your Stomach Hurts

Don’t like to be too graphic here, but we’re talking about constipation, diarrhoea – even nausea and vomiting. You see, your brain’s nervous system is directly linked to the stomach, so when you’re stressed your stomach knows.

4. You Think You’re Not Stressed

Long hours, tasks piled-high, no time for yourself – no problem. You’ve got it all under control, right? It can be easy to downplay situations, but you can’t expect to be a Superwoman all the time. One of the key signs of stress is thinking you’re coping, when all signals say otherwise. 

5. You’re Not Making Healthy Choices

You used to be super healthy, even managing to get to the gym in your lunch break. But now you just don’t seem to care, and it’s starting to show.

6. You’re Not the Usual You

Cranky, unmotivated, moody? If this sounds like you, it’s a good indication you’re work-life balance is off.

7. You No Longer Have a Social Life

Can’t remember the last time you did something that you loved? If you’ve been a no-show for a date with your friends, family or significant other, chances are things aren’t aligned for you.

8. You’re Dreaming of Work

If you’re taking your work home, to the point of dreaming or having nightmares about it, then it’s time to consider making some slight changes – even if it means keeping your eyes off emails once you’ve left the office.

9. You Get Weekend Headaches

Feel like you can finally breathe come Saturday, but then comes the pounding headache?  A sudden drop in stress is said to prompt a migraine. Ouch.

10. You Can’t Concentrate

Feeling the pressure for long periods of time is said to actually change the decision-making frontal lobe of the brain. This part of the brain becomes less active, and affects your memory, decisions and your ability to concentrate.