'Life doesn't stop because you have a job' - Julia Finnis-Bedford (CEO, Amazing Spaces) on work-life balance
Prioritising balance is a preventative health strategy, not a luxury, adds fitness presenter Liezel van der Westhuizen.
CapeTalk's Africa Melane speaks to fitness presenter and mental fitness coach Liezel van der Westhuizen.
Listen below:
We always hear about the many ways to achieve 'work-life balance', but the work-life lines can be blurred, especially with remote work, where lines, priorities, and time management can become all-consuming.
According to Van der Westhuizen, in 2025, a healthy work-life balance is about integration to blend work and life to support your mental, physical and emotional well-being.
"It's not about doing less, it's about being more mindful and more sustainable to prevent burnout," says Van der Westhuizen.
Here are some tips to ensure a work-life balance bliss:
- Scheduling: Be mindful and allow time for movement, time for rest, time for work, time for personal growth, and time for relationships. Put it in your diary to ensure you stick to the time allocated for each focus area of your life.
- Have regular breaks in your day, away from your work desk, and practice mindfulness in those tiny breaks.
- Work a well-being pillar into your schedule where you spend time on your physical fitness - even if it's just walking for five minutes to boost energy, focus, resilience and reduce stress.
- Eat to nourish.
Julia Finnis-Bedford, CEO of Amazing Spaces, shares her experience as an employer...
"I think a big part of that comes down to balance, real human balance. I've run my business for 25 years, and what I've learnt is this: fulfilled people make the best team members, not the ones who grind the hardest or answer emails at midnight... I try and walk the talk, I start my mornings with meditation, journaling and some kind of movement... I only hit my desk at 10.30 am and the team knows that's my time to fill my cup - they're encouraged to do the same."
- Julia Finnis-Bedford, CEO - Amazing Spaces
"Life doesn't stop because you have a job."
- Julia Finnis-Bedford, CEO - Amazing Spaces
"Out of the office, we have secret disco yoga, connection walks and chat while we stretch our legs and daily team lunches made by our amazing in-house chefs. Those shared meals might sound small, but they're where our best ideas happen. It's not just about fun and games, it's about creating a culture where people feel safe, supported, and human. Because when someone feels trusted to manage their own time, energy and life, they're more loyal, productive and better to be around. We say, this is a grown-up business, run by grown-up people - let's treat each other like adults and make space for the full human experience - it's not revolutionary, it's just kindness, connection and common sense."
- Julia Finnis-Bedford, CEO - Amazing Spaces
Scroll up on the audio player to listen to the full conversation.