“It is not uncommon for young moms to work two to three jobs,” said Dolan.
Having to work so many service jobs to make ends meet creates a situation where there is little free time for home and family.
The lack of benefits that comes with part-time employment is also an issue for Jasper workers looking to balance their lives.
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), one in four Canadians work 50 hours per week or more compared to one in 10 a decade ago.
Some of the signs of a work/life imbalance include feelings of being overwhelmed, a loss of control of ones life, feeling guilty of neglecting family or friends and difficulty concentrating.
Anxieties surrounding the ability to pay bills or preconceptions of the nature of success are stressors that contribute to imbalance in lives of Jasper workers. People come to Jasper for the quality of life, yet too few high paying jobs exist to support the lifestyle many seek.
The CMHA has a number of basic tips to improve work/life balance:
- Schedule brief breaks for yourself throughout the day.
- At the end of the day, set your priorities for the following day.
- Only respond to email once or twice a day.
- Make a distinction between work and the rest of your life.
- Address concerns about deadlines early.
- Take all your allotted vacation time.
- Create a buffer between work and home.
- Decide what chores can be shared or let go.
- Get plenty of exercise.
- Make healthy food choices.
- Pursue a hobby.
According to the CMHA, the nature of a healthy work/life balance is different for every person. Striving for perfection is impossible. Making choices that benefit all aspects of life is much more useful. Implementing necessary changes will take time and effort before achieving results.
According to Dolan, local businesses have been doing a better job than ever before at emphasizing a healthy work/life balance. Employee retention is something local businesses value and many interesting ideas to engage staff have been implemented. Dolan believes many local businesses engage in team building and encourage their staff to take advantage of the park. JasperLIFE is another local resource that new Jasperites can utilize to find things to do other than go to the bar.
The more transient population are likely less concerned with seeking a work/life balance as the majority of them are university students who are simply seeking to make as much money as possible in as little time as possible. However, many seasonal workers end up achieving balance by working hard for six months and travelling for the remainder of the year.
Business owners and managers have a great deal of influence in encouraging good work/life balance practices. While employers and managers need to be concerned with the health of their business, CMHA has determined that improving work/life balance will improve business success in several critical ways.
Workers tend to be away from work more frequently when they’re stressed. Stressed Canadian workers take up to seven days off of work each year compared to 3.6 days for workers who report little stress.
Workers who are stressed are more susceptible to mental health problems. Workers who find their jobs extremely stressful are three times more likely to experience a major depressive episode compared to workers who report low levels of general stress.
While the service industry is limited by the wages they can offer, Jasper has many services and volunteer opportunities that locals can engage in to help achieve balance.
For more information and tips on achieving a healthy work/life balance, visit .
Locals looking for healthy balanced lifestyle options can contact JasperLIFE at 780-852-2100.
