Reclaiming the 5 your

What do you do when you’re off the clock? Here at Style HQ, the TikTok 5–9 routine trend has got us thinking about all things work-life balance.

By ERIN SIMPSON

Olivia Ashworth

Senior Social Media Coordinator

Working so heavily in the digital sphere, when it comes to that 5pm knock off, my off-the-clock antics usually tend to involve a lot of switching off (both physically and mentally). Do not disturb on, you may spot me roller skating by the river, embracing a budget-friendly version of Gordon Ramsay, or journaling on the balcony. I’d like to say I’ve mastered the simplicity of ‘main character’ evenings purely due to practicality. My afternoons are a chance for a good ol’ reset because believe me, my raging introvert needs it.

Emily Hill Designer

I love taking advantage of the hours before and after my 9-5. You’ll often find me working on a new print illustration for my personal brand ‘The Emily Edit,’ workshopping a content creation idea, working on a freelance illustration project, or leisurely drawing away. I’m passionate about staying creative outside of my day job and believe in having space and time to play and experiment without pressure. This can be key to sparking inspiration and new ideas that I can bring to my 9-5 client work too!

Dinushka Gunasekara Journalist

Knock off drinks are more than a catch up – they’re a therapy session. Whether it’s my corporate mates or shift hustlers, grabbing a vino after work is our time to decompress from the day and end on a high note, ready to conquer the next. Weekend hangs are meant for shenanigans only; our weekday get-togethers are for rants and the stories that can’t wait. Plus, it’s way easier to snag a reservation on a weekday.

with Dr John Barletta

Wellbeing and productivity

Workplaces focus on productivity. Owners and managers keep costs to a minimum as a way of increasing the financial bottom line. This means they fail to focus on employee engagement, satisfaction, and wellness.

There are, however, some quality employers and smart leaders who know that when they provide excellent leadership, a psychologically sound environment, targeted worker benefits, and staff wellness programs, that productivity, engagement, creativity, wellbeing, and capability increase significantly.

If employers and leaders provide well-considered structures in the workplace and systems in psychologically-minded ways, staff are happier and more industrious. All it takes is a desire to build a new story, some thought, resources, and commitment.

Likewise, as an employee, you have a responsibility to arrive fit and ready for work, and to engage in tasks to meet expectations. This means having a flourishing life that enables you to be a healthy and productive worker. When employers and employees take shared responsibility for engagement and wellness, great things happen.

Varicose Veins

with Dr Nicholas Kemp

Are varicose veins hereditary?

A common question I often get asked is ‘does varicose veins run in families?’ Unfortunately, the answer is yes. If both parents are affected, you carry a 90 per cent chance of developing them yourself.

Technically speaking, it’s not varicose veins that are hereditary but venous disease, which affects the strength of vein walls and damages the valves (which carry blood back to the heart) – this can lead to the development of varicose veins.

Not all members of the family may have visible torturous veins on their skin but if their leg veins are failing then they might develop symptoms such as:

• Aching, swollen, ‘hot’ or itchy legs

• Nocturnal cramps and restless leg syndrome

• Eczema, brown staining or hardening of the skin especially around the ankles, which if left untreated can lead to ulceration

If you suffer from any of these problems and have a family history of varicose veins, then it may be worth having an assessment with a phlebologist.