Time Off

Are you getting seven hours of free time a day? That’s roughly the amount of time we need for a perfect work-life balance.

This new statistic has been released by Direct Line Insurance, but very few of us have the luxury of all this time to ourselves. The average person has around four hours and 14 minutes, due to work and home life pressures.

Apparently 1995 was the year when people managed to achieve the perfect harmony of work and leisure, and things have been going downhill ever since, as more and more of work longer hours in the office.

But even if you don’t have seven hours free every day, you can increase the benefits you get from down time.

You will relax more if you switch off your phone when spending time with your family and close friends. And if you’re the sort of person who is tempted to check your emails constantly, you may benefit from organizing specific leisure activities rather than just lounging around.

Another tip to reduce the stress in your life is to have at least one evening a week that you keep just for yourself. Whatever you choose to do with this slot, whether meeting a friend, luxuriating in the bath, or doing something creative, make it non-negotiable. Turn off your mobile and enjoy.