Our lives are becoming increasingly demanding; long working hours, the pressure of performing at work, family life, busy social lives… The list goes on! It’s more important than ever to focus on our wellbeing and work life balance, as according to Glassdoor, mentions of key words such as ‘’mental health’’ in reviews has increased by 500% over the past 3 years, with mentions of ‘’wellbeing’’ increasing 58% and ‘’burnout’’ increasing 158% since April 2021.
What is work life balance?
We’ve all heard the saying "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy", but what actually is work life balance? By definition, work life balance is the division of our time and energy between work, family and leisure activities - an equal balance between our personal and professional life. Stress and burnout are common results of a poor work life balance, whereas a healthy work life balance results in increased productivity and motivation, reduced absenteeism and sickness, a reduction in stress levels and huge impacts on well-being and mental health. Let’s take a look at how we can improve our work life balance.
How to improve your work life balance
Stick to a schedule
The lines between work and home life have become blurred as many of us started working remotely during the pandemic. Just because you’re working from home, doesn’t mean you need to be contactable 24/7 - It’s important to set boundaries and let your clients and colleagues know when you’ll be online. Keep note of your daily activities and time spent on each for two weeks so that you can review any trends and consider if there might be a better way of working.
Many workforces are considering flexible schedules, allowing employees to take ownership of their day, picking up essential personal responsibilities as long as their workload is maintained. If you can, set up a schedule, factoring in non-negotiable things like putting the kids to bed or heading to the gym at lunch time and consider how you can manage this around your workload and deadlines.
Set up a dedicated workspace
Setting up a dedicated workspace will really help your productivity and help you separate work from home life. Invest in a comfortable chair and sturdy table so you have a comfortable space to work from, this will help you to stay focussed and also reduce the chances of you getting a sore back! Another thing to consider, is not to use your work devices for personal use - this can blur the line between home and work as you might find yourself checking your emails out of hours. Set up a designated area where you will use your work equipment, and it will be much easier to switch off when the working day is done.
Break it up
Since working from home, 28% of people have reported skipping their breaks, due to mounting workloads, endless video conferencing calls and an overwhelming fear of seeming unproductive to management. However, that lunch hour, coffee break or walk around the block actually does wonders for our productivity and wellbeing! Taking a break allows the brain and body the chance to re-energize, meaning that we are more productive and motivated afterwards. Make time for a short walk, grab some lunch or tackle a Village Gym 30 minute at home workout… Whatever you do - take some time to switch off, you’ll be surprised what it will do for your work output!
Keep in touch
Working remotely doesn’t mean working in isolation, you can still keep up to date with your colleagues! We usually spend most of our time with our colleagues, which makes it easy to work in sync so now that you’re not face to face it’s more important than ever to go out of your way to keep in touch. We recommend setting up a group chat, weekly conference calls and picking up the phone when you’re feeling demotivated!
Make time for friends and family
An important part of a work life balance is having fun outside of work. Prioritise making time for your hobbies and seeing family and friends to ensure you feel fulfilled and stay connected. Plan in something to look forward to whether it’s a trip away, a delicious meal together or an evening at a Village tribute night - it will do wonders for your wellbeing!
Consider co-working
Getting out of the house does wonders for your productivity! Discover a fresh new way of working at VWorks coworking space, with space for creative, collaborative thinking, private meeting space, hot desks and project desks. Our platinum VWorks & Village Health & Wellness membership offers the perfect opportunity to get your work life balanced. You'll get full access to VWorks coworking space and Village Health & Wellness club, with state of the art equipment, award-winning fitness classes and a pool. As well as a complimentary 30 minute Health & Wellbeing check when you first join.

You’ll have a royally good time at the Pub & Grill on 4th June, as we’re heading back to 1952 with a 70p buffet, including 2 drinks! Yes, really! Get your friends and family together, and join us between 12-4pm where you can expect lots of Great British family fun!

Let’s get ready to rumble! We’re taking our knockout partnership with Boxxer to the next level! Coming soon! Our brand NEW BOXXER-endorsed fitness class at Village Gym! Don the gloves and hit the bags with our fun, high intensity functional training session!

Village Hotels are a hub of the local community and we like to get involved in local events and activities - take a look at what we've been up to in May.

In partnership with 5Star Sports Agency we are delighted to announce that Village Hotel Aberdeen is the Official Hotel of the 2022 Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A.

Pack your bags - Summer is calling! Whether you're looking for a quick night away or a UK mini-break, you've come to the right place. We have a fantastic range of packages available this Summer, all including breakfast and £50 to spend on food in the Pub and Grill. Explore the top things to do near our hotels.

Forget the airport queues and chaos... Explore the beautiful British countryside and fantastic family friendly attractions.

We are very proud to have hosted sponsored spinathons across our clubs in aid of Ukraine!

There's no need to horse around getting home after a fantastic day at Ascot Races - there are great Village Hotels located nearby! Our Bracknell hotel is located just 10 minutes away... So close, we're almost neigh-bours (sorry!).

With everything under one roof to keep the kids (and the adults) entertained, you can't beat Village Hotels for a family getaway! Our family friendly hotels at locations across the UK, have an indoor pool with dedicated family swim times, a cool Pub & Grill serving delicious food for all the family ...and more. Make Village your base to discover some of the UK's best family attractions.

First we brunch, then we boogie! Brunch Club has arrived at Village!
Join us at Village Hotel Portsmouth or Village Hotel Manchester Ashton on Sunday 15th May for an afternoon of fun, fizz and fantastic food.

You might notice something has changed. Yes, it’s us! We’re still the same ‘Village Hotels’ that you know and love, now with a brand new website that shows off all our best facilities, local things to do, what’s on and more. Take a look and see what it's all about.

Spring is the perfect opportunity to plan a staycation and discover all that the UK has to offer, with longer days and hopefully lots of sunshine just around the corner, not to mention you’ll be able to explore some of the best attractions and locations without the summer crowds. Plus, with 33 great Village Hotels across the UK you’re never far from a comfy bed for the night.

As part of our Village Green community initiative, we are delighted to share an update on our latest partnership with Carefree. As part of their ‘break-maker’ programme, Village Hotels is committing to provide 1,000 free hotel stays to carers, offering much needed respite and a break away from their daily struggles. Take a look at our carer feedback.

Planning a 2022 getaway? Why not consider one of our brand new hotels - Village Hotel Basingstoke, Village Hotel Bracknell, Village Hotel Bristol, Village Hotel Portsmouth or Village Hotel Southampton Eastleigh. Whether you're planning a family friendly getaway or a solo adventure, fun with friends or an extended date night, you can discover historical landmarks, relaxing countryside, theme parks and more. Add to your break the incredible leisure facilities Village has to offer, and you're guaranteed a fun filled getaway...whatever the weather!

Planning your wedding? We’ve put together a list of things people often forget to consider ahead of their big day? Was there some kind of snag that could have been avoided with a bit of foresight? Or did they perhaps have a post-wedding light bulb moment and think ‘I wish I had done that’?

We’re excited to announce the extension of our partnership with Boxxer ahead of 2 highly-anticipated events Amir Khan vs. Kell Brook on February 19th in Manchester, and Josh Taylor vs. Jack Catterall on February 26th in Glasgow.

Ready to get your business moving again? With restrictions lifting across the UK, there has never been a better time to get the team together to work on your business goals… And that’s where team building activities come in! Team building exercises are usually held outside of the working environment, offering colleagues a chance to interact and work together. Not only do team building exercises make your employees feel valued, they offer tonnes of benefits for your business, including increased productivity, team collaboration, motivational benefits, as well as building trust amongst the team.

More than just a hotel, Village is a place to workout, stay, meet and play. Village Hotel Club Bracknell is our 33rd hotel in the UK and our largest, flagship property. The 212-bedroom hotel has undergone a complete and radical transformation. Following a period of extensive renovation work and reconfiguration of the former Hilton site, the hotel will be unrecognisable as you walk through the doors. Visitors will enjoy a completely new and upgraded experience, in keeping with the unique Village Hotel Club offering.

We are delighted to kick-start our Village Green community initiative at the new Village Hotel Club Bracknell with a full-day charity event in support of Bracknell homeless charity, the Pilgrim Hearts Trust, on 25th January. Through our ‘Sock It To Winter’ campaign, we have been collecting new pairs of socks for homeless and vulnerable people in the local area.

As part of our Village Green community initiative, we are delighted to announce our latest partnership with Carefree. As part of their ‘break-maker’ programme, Village Hotels is committing to provide 1,000 free hotel stays to carers, offering much needed respite and a break away from their daily struggles. Guests will be able to take advantage of the full Village Hotel Club experience with access to our extensive leisure facilities, Pub and Grill and on site Starbucks.

Village is more than a hotel, and working for us is more than just another job in hospitality - this is Village! We asked our teams to sum up what Village means to them… What makes Village, their Village? The friends they’ve made; the career aspirations they’ve achieved; the people they’ve met; the fun they have - or simply being part of an incredible team? Take a look at some of our favourite submissions!

Our lives are becoming increasingly demanding; long working hours, the pressure of performing at work, family life, busy social lives… The list goes on! It’s more important than ever to focus on our wellbeing and work life balance, as according to Glassdoor, mentions of key words such as ‘’mental health’’ in reviews has increased by 500% over the past 3 years, with mentions of ‘’wellbeing’’ increasing 58% and ‘’burnout’’ increasing 158% since April 2021.

Joe Root today joined local school children to launch Village Hotel Club’s new community volunteering project. The England cricket captain was joined by 30 primary school children from Morley New Lands Academy at the Village Hotel Club, Leeds South to encourage boys and girls to take up the sport.

Packing for a trip away is never easy! Deciding whether to ditch your trainers or your favourite jacket, sitting on your suitcase to force it closed, and let’s not talk about forgotten items...The struggle is real! Make sure your next business trip is stress free, and ensure you’re prepared with the right outfits, shoes and personal items. Check out our guide to packing like a pro!

There is nothing worse than being squashed into a pokey hotel room, trying to relax after a hard day's work when all you want is your home comforts. Not forgetting the thought of dining out on another petrol station sandwich… It’s hardly inspiring! But that’s where a stay at Village is different... Your wellness matters to us!

Whether you’re joining us for a delicious lunch, staying on business or refuelling after a workout, there’s lots of tasty options to sink your teeth into at the Pub & Grill. Our delicious healthy bowls, developed with help f1rom an expert nutritionist are bursting with flavour and goodness that will fill you up all day. Plus our power shakes are filled with vitamins and minerals and pack a great punch. Plus, we still have those tasty Village classics like our juicy burger stacks and hot wings, for when you fancy a treat! Take a look at some of our favourites!

There are so many great things to do and see in the UK, stunning coastlines, historical cities, areas of outstanding beauty, world class attractions...We’ve got it all! Plus, many locations will give you the feeling of being abroad, right here in the UK.

World Wellbeing Week is an annual event, running this year from 21st - 30th June. It’s designed to promote awareness of all types of wellbeing, social, physical, emotional, financial, career, community and environmental. Take a look and see what it’s all about and how we’re getting involved!

The UK is a great place to live because many different cities hold their own individual character and look. This year, we are truly spoiled for choice for city breaks, and Village are here to help you find the place that is right for you. There is no better place to shout about your trip away than Instagram. Let's run through some of the best places you can add to your city break bucket list that will look fantastic with any Insta filter!

Village Hotels offer more than a bed for the night - with a place to work out, stay, meet and play, all under one roof. Across our entire portfolio a comfy bed, great shower, and nifty gadgets come as standard and we pride ourselves on providing the very best customer experience with the latest in-room technology; from self check-in and keyless room entry to contactless payments. In our latest additions to guest services, we're delighted to announce our partnerships with Sky and Google, along with introducing the Village Hotels App.

2020 will surely go down as a year to forget thanks to cancelled plans and revised holidays. The lockdown has been a tough time for all of us, not least for the essential key workers who have kept our hospitals running, our supermarkets filled with food, and our streets safe. Village Hotels would like to take this opportunity to offer a huge thank you to all the people across the country working in key industries. We’re here to help you through these difficult times.

Berlin, 6 March 2019 – Village Hotel Club today outlines the next steps in its £480 million programme for the unique lifestyle brand that will take the number of Village Hotel Clubs from 30 to 50 by 2026, creating 2,400 new jobs in the process.

Find out how to make your favourite Pub & Grill cocktail at home!

Recreate our famous Beef Tacos at home. Get ready to spice up your weekend - Village style!

Learn how to recreate our famous Buffalo chicken wings at home. Get ready to spice up your weekend - Village style!

Taking part in #DryJanuary? Re-create our delicious mocktails.

At Village, our sales aren’t just accessible for one day of the year on Black Friday! Sign up to the Booking Revolution and you’ll get access to the best deals on rooms all year round, plus £25 worth of extras with every stay* - that’s free wifi, parking, access to our extensive gym and pool, and a VWorks Hot Desk. Let’s take a look at what’s available to book right now!

Introducing Cluk & GoBurger, the tastiest chicken and juiciest burger stacks! Cluk and GoBurger is our brand new click & collect and delivery service. It’s your go to when you’re looking for chicken on the fly, and buns on the run! If you’re looking for a quick bite to take home from your local Pub & Grill, dinner delivered to your doorstep, or a late night takeaway then you’ve come to the right place! The delicious Cluk & GoBurger menu is available everyday between 5-9pm. We’re here to introduce you to a couple of our favourites (Warning! May cause intense hunger!).

On 8th March people all around the world celebrate International Women’s Day - a day dedicated to celebrating the social, economical and political achievements of women all over the World.

You’ve got to be careful who you take business advice from. But when that person is a self-made billionaire and one of the most trusted, respected and liked people in the world, well, maybe it’s worth taking.

Want to know what it feels like to be an A-list celeb? Now you can. At Village we’ve always been hot on customer service. But now we’re going one step further. It’s called ‘celebrity service’ and you’ll love it.

Let us introduce Nalin Daud. The new General Manager at the soon to be open Village Hotel Basingstoke. Taking charge of a brand new hotel is always an exciting and challenging role. But to say Nalin was born for this role is a serious understatement.

Hands up if you’ve said this. I know there are plenty of us in Village HQ who’ve uttered that statement more than a few times.

Reducing our carbon footprint is something we’ve been working hard at for a couple of years. And it’s really paying off in more ways than one.

Our very own food and drink ambassador, Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown, has shared one of her favourite recipes with us, so you can be your own GBBO champ!

We’re always looking for ways to help our VWorks Business Club members work smarter and be more productive. So we’ve been doing a little research.

CALM – the Campaign Against Living Miserably – is taking a stand against male suicide, sadly the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45. Our amazing team at Bournemouth were only too happy to do their bit to raise money for this great cause.

Some see travelling for work a perk. Others a chore. Either way, at Village Hotels we work hard to make sure that we tick all the right boxes.

Formidable businesswoman Baroness Karren Brady CBE is one of our Village Hotel Ambassadors. She’s joined forces with us to add her considerable business knowledge to help nurture and grow local businesses in our community.

Co-working, off-site working, collaborative workspaces. Whatever you call it, businesses are embracing the out-of-office working culture. The Co-working London 2019 Conference gave us a great insight into where this is heading in the future.

This week our Village Hotel Portsmouth team headed out to Farlington Marshes with Final Straw Solent to clean up hundreds of tiny plastic pellets, known as nurdles that had washed up on the shores.

Last week our team from Village Glasgow hosted their annual golf day at The Carrick Golf Club, Loch Lomond to raise funds for Calums Cabin. Calums Cabin was created by the family of Calum Speirs, a brave boy from Rothesay who sadly lost his battle with a brain tumour in 2007. The Speirs family formed Calums Cabin in Calums memory, to support children suffering from Cancer or Cancer related diseases. The holiday Cabins on the Isle of Bute offer a place for families to spend ‘quality family time together, make special irreplaceable memories and recharge their batteries for what may lie ahead’. We have been supporting Calums Cabin over the last few years as part of our Village Our Community campaign. The campaign is our commitment to being a hub for the local area, where people come together to work, play and rest.

Village Hotel Club group consists of 30 hotels across the UK. We promise guests and locals more than just a bed for the night. Our comfy rooms come with big beds, huge TVs, great showers, in-room technology, Sky Movies and more. Our hotels are also home to a state-of-the-art gym and pool, a Village Pub and Grill which serves tasty food and drink all day every day in a buzzing atmosphere, not forgetting a Starbucks coffee shop for that morning pick-me-up. You can meet at the VWorks Business Club which offers an office away from home, with flexible working space and membership options. After dark, the party starts in the events suite where you'll find tribute acts, weddings and banqueting functions.

You might have heard about our Village Our Community initiative, which launched in September 2018. Recognising that the local community is key to every business, Village as a brand have committed more than 30,000 hours per year to volunteer in the local community. We've taken a look at what Village Hotel Bury have been up to as part of our initiative.

Last month, Village Hotel London Watford pledged their hours to help those with learning disabilities as we partnered with Borehamwood FC to provide football sessions for adults from Mencap and Borehamwood Day Centre, and run after-school classes for children to learn football basics.

In March 2019, our brand new hotel Village Hotel Bristol pledged 1,000 hours to support Young Bristol, a youth-driven charity that has been providing a city-wide programme of activities and education to support disadvantaged young people aged 8-19 years since 1928. Young Bristol works with young people to help them discover what they are capable of through outdoor activities, creative sessions and educational programmes.

Meet Matt—owner of Mr Charger (Berkshire)—an electric vehicle charging solution provider. Matt is also our first member at our brand-new VWorks at Village Hotel Bracknell!

Meet Steve, of Sporting Difference—a unique company that provides seminars and training programmes in conjunction with successful sports clubs

Lewis Ellis is founder of Hussel Marketing, and made it to the final five on BBC's 'The Apprentice' in 2019.

Ross Mitchell helps business owners and professionals with their financial futures by offering a friendly, personal service, and providing a strategy to help his clients meet their goals.

Meet Annie—Tutor, examiner, freelance journalist, and presenter of the Schoolosophy podcast

Meet Mostafa, a disabled (blind) activist and researcher who advocates for the main streaming of disability rights.

Thomas is an experienced Integrative Addiction Specialist and Psychotherapist who works with children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, and groups.

G2 Speech offer complete document management solutions for healthcare, legal and business enterprises, and have worked in the UK healthcare market for over 20 years.

Meet national blood cancer charity Cure Leukaemia. We spoke to Chief Executive, James, about their commitment to this cause, and the incredible fundraising efforts that support them.