I often have to work at weekends, where does this lead?
The modern working culture places ever-increasing demands on employees, and weekends are often spent working. This trend can have serious long-term consequences for our health, family and social relationships and performance at work. In this article, we explain in detail what regular weekend working can lead to and how coaching can help in finding the right work-life balance.
The consequences of regular weekend work
1. Health problems
If I have to work on the weekends or work because I'm expected to, it can trigger a lot of things. Among other things, weekend work can cause a number of health problems in the long term. Continuous stress and a lack of rest can contribute to chronic fatigue, sleep disorders, cardiovascular disease and a weakened immune system. Constant stress increases the risk of burnout which can lead to serious mental and physical problems.
2. Deteriorating relationships
Regular weekend work has a negative impact on family and social relationships. Lack of free time means less time to spend with loved ones, which can lead to conflict and alienation. Cultivating relationships with friends is also neglected, which can lead to loneliness and isolation in the long term.
3. Reduced performance at work
Although it may seem counterintuitive at first, overworking can reduce long-term performance at work. The constant workload leads to a loss of concentration, an increase in the potential for error and a reduction in innovation. A burnout can also lead to a loss of motivation and commitment, which can have a negative impact on your career in the long term.
How can coaching help?
Coaching is an effective tool for work-life balance recovery and stress management. Here's how coaching can help reduce the negative effects of regular weekend work and maintain long-term health.
1. Setting objectives and priorities
A coach can help us to clearly define our goals and prioritise our tasks. Often, weekend work becomes necessary because we cannot manage our time and tasks properly during the week. A with the help of a coach we can develop an effective time management strategy that allows us to get the most important tasks done during the week, leaving the weekend for rest and recuperation.
2. Learning stress management techniques
The coaching you can also learn different stress management techniques to help you reduce everyday stress. Examples include deep breathing, deep mindfulness, meditation and exercise and relaxation. These techniques are not only stress but also improve overall well-being and performance at work.
3. Establish and respect boundaries
A coach can help you learn how to set healthy boundaries between work and private life. It is important to be aware of your own limits and be able to say no to excessive workloads. A coach can help us to communicate these boundaries more confidently at work and learn how to deal with the challenges they pose.
4. Developing self-awareness
The coaching process to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves, which helps us to better understand our own motivations, values and goals. This self-awareness enables us to make more informed choices about our work and life, and to find activities that bring real pleasure and satisfaction.
Examples of coaching in practice
Example 1: Zsófi, the IT professional
Zsófi works for an IT company and is often forced to work weekends due to project deadlines. The constant work makes her feel increasingly exhausted and she has noticed that her performance at work is deteriorating. A coaching process Zsófi learned how to prioritise her tasks and manage her time more efficiently. In addition coach on different stress management techniques which have helped him better cope with the pressures of the workplace. As a result, Zsófi has been able to reduce her weekend work and has improved her health and performance at work.
Example 2: Peter, the marketing manager
Peter works for a marketing agency and due to ongoing projects, he often works weekends. The constant workload means that he has less and less time to spend with his family, and this led to conflicts in his marriage. With the help of the coach, Peter learned how to set healthy boundaries between work and private life and how to communicate these boundaries at work. They also worked together to develop an effective time management strategy that enabled him to get the most important tasks done during the week. As a result, Peter has been able to spend more time with his family, and his marriage and work performance have improved.
Summary
Regular weekend work can lead to serious long-term health, relationship and work performance problems. A coaching can be an effective tool in work-life to restore balance and manage stress. A coach can help you set goals and priorities, learning stress management techniques, setting healthy boundaries and developing self-awareness. If you feel that regular weekend work is negatively affecting your life, you may want to try coaching. A CoachLab.hu experts can help you find the best solutions for you to maintain your long-term health and performance at work. Remember, the first step to change is to recognise and ask for help!