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Acap Wellness Expert On ‘Work-Life Balance’ Resolutions

By Penny Burfitt Public Relations & Content Manager
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40% of Aussies experience burnout and as the new year gets underway, many are hoping to keep a resolution to create a better work-life balance. Senior ACAP University College lecturer Desi Vlahos says we need to change how we think about work life ‘balance’.

As we begin a new year at work, many of us are anxiously hoping to stick to a very common New Year’s resolution: to balance our lives better between long hours in the office and time for ourselves. With almost 40% of Australian’s experiencing burnout at work according to a 2024 report*, it’s no wonder many are striving for improvement in 2025, but as we all know, too often those resolutions of striking the perfect work-life balance fall down as soon as a looming deadline or flurry of emails gets in the way.  

ACAP University College Senior Lecturer in the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, Desi Vlahos, knows a thing or two about how important prioritising wellness is when it comes to work and life; she’s a mental wellbeing consultant, a director of the Minds Count Foundation and co-chair of the International Bar Association’s Professional Wellbeing Commission at an international level.

Desi sat down with us to share her advice on how to make that New Year’s resolution stick, and why we may actually be thinking about ‘work-life balance’ all wrong.  

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Desi, why do you think we often fail to keep New Year’s resolutions about work-life balance?  

I prefer to talk about work-life harmony rather than balance because it’s not about perfect equilibrium – it’s about creating a rhythm that works for you.  Resolutions often fail because they’re overly ambitious or lack a plan. We focus on what we want to change without addressing the habits or systems that caused the disharmony in the first place. Achieving harmony is a disciplined practice that requires regular reflection and adjustment, which resolutions rarely account for. As life inevitably throws challenges our way, our lofty goals can falter. I’ve always liked Maya Angelou’s wisdom on this, where she said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”  

So how do you recommend people approach work-life balance, sorry work-life harmony, if it’s something they have struggled with in the past?  

Begin with small, achievable changes that target the areas most out of sync. Reflect on what hasn’t worked in the past and consider what systems or habits need to shift.  

Set specific, achievable goals that fit into your current lifestyle. For instance, instead of saying, “I’ll always leave work on time,” try, “I’ll leave by 6pm on two specific days each week.” View harmony as a constant adjustment – be flexible when life throws you curveballs.   

Build self-care into your schedule, whether it’s a weekly exercise class or a family dinner. The key is to create habits that promote sustainability rather than perfection.  

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Many of us make these resolutions because we reached the last holidays feeling completely drained. How do we avoid this kind of burnout in the first place?  

Burnout often results from ignoring the need for recovery throughout the year. Incorporate small moments of rest into your daily routine, like short breaks between tasks, and prioritise regular downtime on weekends or long weekends. Learn to pace yourself by delegating, saying no to non-essential tasks, and recognising when your workload is becoming unsustainable. Work-life harmony isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. Consistently practising these habits ensures you don’t arrive at the holidays on empty.  

So what happens if we don’t get the balance right?  

Work-life harmony is essential for long-term mental, emotional, and physical health. Ignoring it can lead to burnout, reduced productivity, strained relationships, and even physical illness. Over time, it erodes job satisfaction and increases the risk of attrition in demanding professions. When harmony is prioritised, it fosters resilience, focus, and overall wellbeing benefitting individuals, workplaces, and families.  

As someone with too many titles to fit in one sentence, how do you find that harmony and avoid burnout yourself?  

I focus on what truly matters by setting boundaries, delegating where appropriate, and managing my time effectively. Using tools like calendars and task lists keeps me organised, while regular check-ins with myself help me identify when I need to recalibrate.  

Self-care is non-negotiable – I make time for activities that energise me, such as exercise, spending time with loved ones and in nature, or simply unwinding. Importantly, I embrace the idea that harmony isn’t about doing everything perfectly but about finding a rhythm that works for me. Recognising when to say no and practising self-compassion are essential in maintaining this balance.  

Desi Vlahos is a senior lecturer in postgraduate law at ACAP University College. ACAP offers accredited courses at our six campuses across Australia, online or through hybrid delivery. Learn more about ACAP’s Degrees of Difference at acap.edu.au 

 

(*Report from The State of Workplace Burnout 2024: Infinite Potential)

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