Opinion
Balancing Work And Life

Work-life balance is typically the amount of time you spend doing your job versus the amount of time you spend doing what is important to you outside of work, whether that is with loved ones or pursuing personal interests and hobbies. When work demands more of your time or attention, you will have less time to handle your other responsibilities or passions. Truly, many people want to achieve a greater balance between their work and their personal life, but in practice, it can be difficult to achieve, sometimes a demanding job means more money to support a family. Sometimes, a job contributes to deteriorating your mental health, which then leaves you drained in personal relationships. But work and life integration or the synergistic blending of our personal and professional responsibilities has become an increasingly popular concept. Work is simply one aspect of our lives that needs to be considered alongside other home and family lives, our community and our personal well-being, rather resembling a scale with two computing sides.
The importance of work-life balance can never be over-emphasised. Improving your work-life balance can improve your overall well-being including your physical, emotional and mental health. Studies have found out that working long hours can lead to such serious health issues as “impaired sleep, depression, heavy drinking, diabetes, impaired memory, and heart disease. Unfortunately, as these conditions arise, they can also exacerbate our work-life issues, leading to burnout and other negative repercussions. Ordinarily, the unique nature of each of our lives and our fluctuating responsibilities mean that work-life balance and work-life integration look different for everyone. It is a constant negotiation about, how and where you spend your time. In striving for greater work-life balance, you get to determine your priorities, whether they are related to your work or personal life.
Different workers or employees have different schedules to take care of their responsibilities. For instance, a stay-at- home parent who tackles work assignment while her newborn is napping. You can also look at a student who prioritises spending time with friends rather than rushing to study for an upcoming midterm exam. An employee who crafts his schedules to work specific days so that she can take care of her elderly parents. Notably, an employee has more advantages when it comes to work-life balance. One of those is increased production. When you are able to take a step back from work and recharge, it is amazing how much more productive you can be when you return to your tasks. Studies have shown that employees who have a better work-life balance are more productive, creative, and motivated.
One study found that employees who have great balance of work and personal lives are more productive by as much as 30per cent. Being able to disconnect from work and focus on other things, whether it is spending time with family, pursuing a hobby or simple relaxing, can help you come back to your work with renewed energy and focus. When you are feeling more balanced you are less likely to burnout, which can lead to a decrease in productivity and even health issues. Additionally, better work-life balance leads to improved health of a person. When you are constantly working, it can be easy to neglect your health. But maintaining a good work-life balance can have a positive impact on your physical and mental well-being. Study by the American Psychological Association reveal that people who maintain a good balance of work , as well as personal life are more likely to report good health and less likely to report poor health.
When you are able to focus on other things, like exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep in addition to having a better balance will reduce stress. When you are working long hours, it can be easy to neglect your relationships. But maintaining a good work-life balance will have a positive impact on your personal relationships. When you can disconnect from work, you can focus on other things, like spending time with friends and family, pursuing hobbies , and building new relationships. Furthermore, having a better balance can reduce stress which can lead to better communication and understanding in your relationship. When you are feeling good in your personal relationships, you are better able to handle the demands of your job, which in turn can lead to better performance and more job satisfaction. A good work-life balance can lead to happier and more fulfilling life overall.
If you just focus on getting things done without proper planning, it can be easy to neglect your overall career development. But if you maintain a healthy work-life balance, it can have a positive impact on your career opportunities. Employees who have a good balance of work time and personal lives are more likely to be promoted and have better job satisfaction. By disconnecting from work, you will be able to focus on other things like learning new skills, networking and exploring new career opportunities. Additionally, when you can disconnect from work, you are able to enjoy your personal life and recharge your batteries , which in turn, helps you stay engaged and motivated at work. Work-life balance also has its negative impacts on the employee. It may be difficult to meet up work demand. It is not always easy to find a balance between work and personal time, especially when you have a demanding job or tight deadline. Maintaining a good work-life balance can be difficult and it is common to feel like you are not doing enough in either area.
In fact, employees who are struggling to balance work and personal life are more likely to experience stress and burnout. When you are trying to balance work and personal life, you may find yourself feeling pulled in different directions. It can be hard to focus on when you are thinking about personal obligation and it can be hard to enjoy your personal life when you are thinking about work. Furthermore, when you are trying to find the perfect balance between work and personal life, you may feel like you are not able to give your full attention to either area. This can lead to feelings like guilt or dissatisfaction with your job or personal life. It is important to remember that finding a balance between work and personal life is a work in progress, and it will require constant adjustments and flexibility. It is also important to be realistic and set boundaries for yourself to communicate them with your personal life.
When you are focused on maintaining a good work-life balance, you may end up sacrificing financial opportunities. For instance, you may turn down a promotion or a rise because it will require more time away from your personal life. Or you may take a leave of absence from your job, which can lead to a loss of income. Employees who take time off for personal or family reasons often experience a loss of income. They also may have difficulty getting back into the work force, which can lead to long term financial consequences. Furthermore, employees who are constantly working overtime or taking on additional responsibilities may be eligible for extra pay or bonuses, but if you are trying to maintain a good balance, you may end up missing out on those opportunities. It is important to remember that balancing work and personal life is not just about time but also about financial opportunities and stability.
Finding a balance will require careful consideration of both your personal and financial goals and communicating with your employer about expectations and limitations to ensure that you are able to meet your financial needs without sacrificing your life. Prioritisation is very important. Considering which one is more important than the other. When trying to balance your work and personal life, you may find it difficult to prioritise what is important. According to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association, 60per cent of adults said that work is a significant source of stress in their lives. This stress can be compounded when you are trying a balance competing demands on your time and attention. Remember, that finding a balance does not mean that you have to divide your time equally between work and personal life. Instead, it is about determining what is most important to you and making sure that you are allocating your time and resources accordingly.
Robinson is a student of Pan African Institute of Management and Technology, Port Harcourt.
By: Happiness Nkiruka Robinson
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Restoring Order, Delivering Good Governance
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
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