The Importance of a Healthy Work/Life Balance: Strategies for Success

Summary: Many people find fulfillment in their careers, but work demands can sometimes spill over into personal life, impacting well-being and family relationships. Discover tips to help you achieve a healthy work/life balance, and learn how successful professional golfers, Padraig Harrington and Annika Sörenstam, made it work with their unique travel and career demands.

People can get a lot of satisfaction out of their jobs. The pay helps provide for themselves and their families, it provides an outlet outside of the home and allows them to interact with others who share a similar purpose and interests.

Sometimes, though, the demands of a job can seep into peoples’ personal lives. Maybe more time is spent in an office beyond normal working hours or perhaps the employee brings the stress of a job home with them.

Maintaining a healthy work/life balance is something most all people want. But doing so is sometimes easier said than done. We’ll share some tips on how to achieve a sense of harmony between your career and personal life and share the perspectives of two people who’ve traveled the world for a living, Mutual of Omaha golf ambassadors Padraig Harrington and Annika Sörenstam, on how they struck the right balance in their lives.

Understanding the importance of work/life balance

Finding a good work/life balance isn’t just about carving out extra free time — it’s really about feeling better overall. When you make room for both your job and your personal life, especially time to connect with family, you’ll notice that you’re happier, healthier and even more productive. Prioritizing family not only supports your own well-being, but it strengthens relationships.

“Balance means different things for different people,” Sörenstam said. “When you find the harmony in your life you know you’ve achieved something.”

Discover how a good work/life balance benefits you and your family:

• Improved physical health: Don’t let work cut into your free time. Spend more time with your family, devote time to cooking healthy meals, exercise regularly and relax. It’ll make you feel better.
• Enhanced mental health: Setting clear boundaries between your personal and professional life can reduce the stress that leads to anxiety and depression.
• Better relationships and social life: Quality time with loved ones helps boost mental and emotional health.
• Increased productivity and performance: Improving your work/life balance can make you more productive — and less stressed — at work.

3 practical strategies for achieving a better work/balance

We lead busy lives. By adopting a few straightforward approaches, you can create a routine that supports your well-being, both at work and at home. Here are three actionable ways to help you achieve a healthier work/life balance that supports your family life.^*

Set boundaries

Define clear boundaries between work and personal life, such as establishing set work hours and avoiding checking work emails outside of regular work hours. Your family will thank you for it.

Create a support system

If you’re struggling to maintain a healthy work/life balance, you’re not the only one. Maybe a co-worker or neighbor is too. Create your own support system and occasionally check in with each other. Common bonds can help alleviate stress.

Manage your time better

Sometimes the toughest thing to do is get started. Increase your productivity, both at work and home, by creating to-do lists and setting realistic goals.

Finding their balance

Regardless of your profession, striking the right work/life balance can be a challenge. When a job requires extensive travel, finding the perfect balance can become tougher. Harrington and Sörenstam provide a unique perspective into how they made it happen with their families.

Both accomplished golfers traveled the globe for decades, landing in a new city more than half the time during a year. While the tournament locations and amenities may have been glamorous and inviting, they knew the demands of constant travel could cause challenges if they didn’t have a plan.

Harrington said his family traveled with him when his kids were young, and he’s quick to point out the support his wife has provided over the years. While his kids are grown now, he never loses the importance of being present when he’s home.

“My family understands my career and are happy that I’m enjoying it. They’re also happy when they get me home,” he said. “I understand when I’m home the routine doesn’t revolve around me. There’s a balance between getting home and resting and catching up on what needs to be done around the house.”

Sörenstam echoed the importance of balance, especially as her life transitioned from professional golf to raising children. Having kids shifted her perspective.

“The biggest thing is obviously it’s not about me as the golfer anymore,” she said. “It’s more about me trying to raise two children and making sure that they are happy and healthy and confident. When you have kids, you just realize what’s important in life and what’s not that important.”

Sörenstam acknowledges that achieving balance is an ongoing process. She recalled the early days of juggling her competitive schedule with her personal life, noting that it required constant adjustments.

“Before, it was all about how I did as a golfer and how did you play and where are you going next,” she said. “So it’s been really refreshing to be able to kind of step out of the limelight and do other things.”

To learn more about how you can support a healthy work/life balance no matter your stage of life, check out additional stories about health and well-being from Mutual of Omaha.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does an unhealthy work/life balance look like?

When your work and personal life get out of balance, things can start to feel overwhelming before you know it. Too much stress doesn’t just leave you feeling frazzled—it can actually take a toll on your health. You might notice you’re not eating as well, your sleep gets thrown off and your mental health can suffer too.

How do I set boundaries at work without jeopardizing my job?

Setting boundaries at work doesn’t have to mean putting your job on the line. Start by having an open conversation with your boss and coworkers. Let them know that once the workday wraps up, you’ll usually be offline. And if your plate is already full, make sure your boss is aware. After all, nobody benefits if you’re stretched too thin and end up feeling exhausted or burnt out.

Sources:

*Wake Forest University/School of Professional Studies, Self Care for Career Success: 6 Tips to Balance Work and Life, accessed Nov. 2025, sps.wfu.edu/articles/tips-to-balance-work-and-life

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