We spend roughly one-third of our life asleep, another third at work and the final third trying our best to have a little fun.
But is that the correct balance? Should we spend as much time at the office as we do with our friends and family? One of the greatest regrets people have on their deathbeds is that they spent too much of their time instead of enjoying quality time with friends and family.
Lawmakers in the United Kingdom have made a significant pledge to reevaluate the work-life balance in their country.
Last month, Britain's shadow chancellor John McDonnell announced that the British Labour Party would reduce the standard working week to 32 hours, without loss of pay, within 10 years of winning office.
"We should work to live, not live to work," McDonnell said.
The pledge came after a report released by Robert Skidelsky that claims shorter working weeks would be a win-win for companies and employees alike because it improves productivity and personal well-being.
People should have to work less for a living. Having to work less at what one needs to do, and more at what one wants to do, is good for material and spiritual well-being. Reducing working time - the time one has to work to keep 'body and soul alive' — is thus a valuable ethical objective.
Americans aren't completely opposed to the idea either.
You get the feeling that we would all be better off with more three-day weekends.
— Andrew Yang🧢 (@AndrewYang) May 27, 2019
A study reported by NBC found that 40% of Americans would prefer a four-day work week over the standard five-day calendar in place now, as long as their pay remained the same.
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The idea is slowly catching on with businesses as well. Fifteen percent of organizations offer four-day weeks of 32 hours or less for at least some of their employees, which is up from 13% in 2017.
It seems pretty obvious that most employees would be happier if they worked less and spent more time and energy on personal pursuits. But how does reducing the amount of time people spend in the office actually boost productivity?
An eye-opening study from Microsoft study from Microsoft conducted at a subsidiary in Japan found that implementing a four-day workweek led to a nearly 40% boost in productivity.
Microsoft Japan closed its offices every Friday in August of this year to see how it affected productivity year-over-year. The study showed that productivity was 39.8% higher in August 2019 over August 2018.
The study also found that closing one day a week preserved office resources as well.
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In August 2019, the number of pages printed decreased by 58.7% and electricity consumption was 23.1% lower as well.
So does this mean that working 32 hours a week is a magical point where workers are able to be more productive due to an increase in personal well-being?
More studies are required to find out whether Microsoft's results are repeated in other types of businesses. But it's an important topic to study in a world where automation threatens jobs and more and more people are realizing that a major key to happiness is finding the correct balance between work and play.
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.