Occupational balance (concept)
Occupational balance is a concept primarily rooted in occupational therapy and mental health, referring to the healthy mix of activities that individuals engage in regularly. It encompasses various dimensions of life, including work, family responsibilities, academics, and leisure activities, all of which contribute to overall wellbeing. The idea emphasizes that a balanced lifestyle is crucial for both physical and mental health, as well as for the wellbeing of those around an individual.
Although some may struggle to achieve this balance due to financial obligations or personal choices, such as working excessive hours or overcommitting to caregiving, the pursuit of a diverse array of activities is key. Each person’s optimal occupational balance is unique and is characterized by a sense of contentment in their life. Importantly, imbalances in occupational activities can affect interpersonal relationships, as dissatisfaction in one's own balance may manifest in behavior that impacts others. Ultimately, striving for occupational balance involves finding a blend of responsibilities and leisure that supports overall health and relational dynamics.
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Subject Terms
Occupational balance (concept)
Occupational balance is a term in occupational therapy and mental health that refers to the mix of activities in which a person engages on a regular basis. It is sometimes referred to as life balance, work-life balance, or lifestyle balance. The concept encompasses a person’s job as well as other activities such as academics, family responsibilities, and physical and social activities. Occupational balance is important to an individual’s physical and mental health and can also impact the wellbeing of others around them.
Background
Occupational balance grew out of the field of occupational therapy. Occupational therapy is a medical field focused on helping people resume as many normal activities as possible following a physical or brain injury. Some of its earliest efforts centered on helping World War I (1914–1918) soldiers. Many soldiers suffered injuries that radically altered their ability to live the way they had lived prior to the war. Physicians realized that being able to resume prior activities or learn new ones that were interesting and fulfilling would help the mental and physical health of these individuals and their families. Over time, the concept evolved that people need a balanced mix of work, family, and leisure activities to have optimal physical and mental health.
Overview
“Occupation” is usually thought of as what someone does for a living. However, occupational therapists use it to refer to any activity a person does on a regular basis. Occupational balance therefore refers to blending work and non-work activities in a way that allows for physical and mental health.
The concept is complicated, however. Some people may need to work long hours to meet financial responsibilities and may find it difficult to achieve occupational balance. Conversely, a person may want to engage in an activity more than is optimal for their health. For instance, some people may choose to work very long hours even though they have enough money. They may associate long hours with their personal sense of worthiness, or be working to escape from personal problems or a painful past. This is not a healthy occupational balance even though the person is doing it voluntarily. A similar situation can arise with people caring for a loved one with a serious illness. Love or a sense of obligation may make the person invest more in the care than is personally healthy for them.
Experts say that people need to work toward a mix of activities. The optimal mix is a blend of work and personal responsibilities with leisure activities and those that improve personal health. This balance is different for each person but is met when a person is generally content with their life.
The concept of occupational balance has implications for both the individual and their interpersonal relationships. A person who is unhappy with their work-life balance often expresses that displeasure in their actions and attitudes, which can affect those around them. Others can also be affected when a person attempts to make shifts to create a better occupational balance. For instance, if two siblings are caring for an elderly parent and one sibling decreases the amount of caregiving time to better balance work-life activities, the other sibling may have to shift priorities to compensate for the change.
Bibliography
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