8 Tips for a Better Work-Life Balance: Lessons from Danish Values

I am not a hypocrite,

But as I sat rooted at a worn café stool in Copenhagen through the early hours of the A.M., hammering away at my master’s thesis on stress and well-being, I could not help but recognize that I was teetering on the brink of becoming one.

Before my hypocrisy was solidified though, I met another one: another soul portraying the hallmarks of hypocrisy, while internally meeting the authentic needs of self actualization.

You Need to Get Back to Work

While my keyboard wrestled with the Danish 90’s hit “Fuld Af Nattens Stjerner” for control over my ears, a winner broke through: my computer’s alarm, alerting me that another two hours had passed and that I deserved -that I needed- a quick break.

As I exited out of the alarm, I not only took back control of my ears, but also of my eyes, reluctantly peeling them away from my screen and letting them drift to take in my surroundings.

Nothing had changed.

The room, although no one else had left -not that there were many candidates to leave- somehow felt even emptier with the passing of time. There was only one other customer there: a frail, middle-to-older-aged woman, cloaked in a grass-designed, hand-woven blanket, sprawled awkwardly over the couch, sitting as though a Great Dane had believed themself to be a chihuahua.

With a straightened back and squinted eyes, I looked for a distraction. At first, I worried that the woman’s curious smile was a sign of notice, but I soon glimpsed the cover of her book and calmed my concerns: a man stood with a rose behind his back, watching another couple in the silhouette of a sunset. Although the words were in Danish, it was not hard to discern what the book was about.

A view of Copenhagen, Daniel Jurin, Pexels

I, too, smiled, and although mine was hidden, I allowed for my mind to drift to a world that was a little less rigid and pressing than that of my thesis.

“Hvorfor går du ikke tilbage på arbejde?”, Mette said aloud, as if she was auspiciously narrating her novel.

My eyes flicked up, but her eyes were still fixed on her pages.

“Why don’t you go back to work?”, she said once more, this time in my language.

I felt my smile release, contorting itself to one of embarrassment rather than satisfaction.

“I’m sorry?”, I queried, watching her read, wondering if her true eyes were hidden elsewhere.

“You need to go back to work. I see it.”

Ah, so they are elsewhere I contemplated, perplexed.

My mind was too preoccupied to catch what I said next, but I am sure it had to do with the fact that I was taking a break.

“May we…?”, she asked, her tone shifting entirely to the warmth we sometimes see from people that used to be strangers.

If it weren’t for her superiority in English articulation, I would have thought that there was a language barrier.

“Sure,… of course”, I countered, meeting her warmth, and happy for the opportunity.

“Okidoki, what do you want to know?”, she opened with.

All-in at this point, I wasn’t afraid of being direct, “Well, what’s your story?”

I’ll save the readers the peculiarities and specificities of her social and personal life, but I have to admit that I was astonished to hear that Mette was the wife of one of Copenhagen’s wealthiest men and that, other than the occasional Rom-Com Novel, she spent her days gossipping and shopping with the Damerne (ladies).

Having her moment, Mette redirected the conversation with an inquisitive glance towards my laptop.

She held back a sympathetic chuckle when she learned of the title, instead taking the opportunity to speak her mind on the proper work-life balance.

No, the irony was not lost on me as I held back my own chuckle: Oh here we go, I mused.

But what she said next, intertwining her oraclism and magnanimity, caught me off guard.

“When it comes to work-life balance”, she began, “the focus is always on work or on life, and balance is always seen as an adjective… like what is the word?”

“Oh yes, average”, she continued, “But balance is a noun, right?”.

I sat nodding, captivated to see what this would turn into.

“So balance is a noun. And the other two are adjectives. So what is your balance?”

Not quite getting it, I answered, “Well, people usually tell me to work less, so I guess that would be my balance.”

“No”, she sat waiting for me to continue as though I had any inkling of what the password was.

She smiled and answered for me, urging, “Your balance is you. What’s your balance?”

“Well, what’s your balance?” -I took the bait.

“This”, she answered from the couch with outstretching arms as though she was showcasing realty to a crowd.

The conversation, up until that point, was a vivid opportunity to learn about another being and another culture. But then, now, it was getting even better. I was entranced.

Mette’s entire face was now rosied, giving every indication that we were just getting to the depth of the conversation. I am positive my face portrayed equal excitement.

But suddenly she yawned, proceeded to smile while registering that she was tired, and gave a finger-waving goodbye as she walked out the door -leaving my eyes the only option of returning to my computer screen.

A Real Work-Life Balance Doesn’t Exist

The likelihood that your ideal work-life balance is the average human experience is a statistical impossibility. There is no norm, and so, I pose the question that was once posed to me:

What is your balance?

Find this answer my friends, and we’ll be well on our path to happiness, fulfillment, and success.

My own research echoes that of our pre-existing knowledge: burnout causes inefficiency. In other words, overworking yourself is a losing strategy if your goal is to get more done.

However, there is a small amendment that I would like to suggest: in countering burnout, our goals need not to be lightening the load. Instead, our goal should be matching our load to ourselves and to what works best for us at an individual level. For some, workaholism comes naturally, for others, work is not on the to-do list. Don’t strive to be something you’re not and certainly don’t judge either.

That being said, we aren’t always our own bosses. And for those of who are, we all wish for success without having to make a deal with the devil. So what do we do?

Work-Life Balance as a Danish Value

The facts speak for themselves, Denmark consistently ranks among the world’s happiest countries, while maintaining a firm economical presence.

This comes as a near direct result of their work-life balance. That being said, the Danish work-life balance does not simply exist as a means to an end -it is part of Danish identity.

So, if not for the results themselves, why is it that the Danish work-life balance is so ingrained into their culture?

1. Denmark’s Strong Social Welfare System helps to alleviate concern of financial hardship, allowing for a lessened necessity to work long hours simply for the sake of survival. This safety net, manifested in the form of universal healthcare, free higher education, and generous employee benefits, grants them the ability to prioritize quality of life over endless hustle.

That’s not to say that these are necessary components of a proper work-life balance. These factors are simply the conditions in which an orientation to such a value was made possible.

2. Danish Culture Values Trust and Autonomy, permitting employees greater responsibilities and decreasing the frequency of micromanaging organizations or bosses. This works to foster an environment where Danes are encouraged to find their own, unique work-life balance.

3. There exists a deep cultural belief that life is to be lived, not worked. Cultural phenomena such as hygge (a focus on comfort and well-being) and samfundssind (a sense of communal responsibility) reinforce that fulfillment comes from a balanced life where success is more so measured by work-life balance than by hours worked or money banked.

Knowing why Denmark has a marked focus on work-life balance can only take us so far. Not all of us live in a society that shares a likewise ideology, but with the knowledge of how this balance is manifested, we can begin to draw cultural comparisons and advice for our own lives.

How the Work-Life Balance Works in Denmark

The Danish commitment to work-life balance isn’t just a theoretical ideal -it’s embedded in daily life. This prioritization isn’t left to chance; it’s intentionally built into both societal structures and workplace norms.

1. Shorter Work Hours
Unlike many other countries, the standard workweek in Denmark hovers around 37 hours, which is considerably lower than in places like the U.S. or Japan. It’s not uncommon for employees to leave the office by 4 or 5 p.m., and this isn’t seen as laziness. Rather, it’s a recognition that quality, not quantity, drives productivity. The idea is simple: When you leave work on time, you’re more focused and energized when you return.

2. Mandatory Paid Time Off
Danes are entitled to a minimum of five weeks of paid vacation each year, a luxury not afforded in many other places. This isn’t just about a break from work; it’s an acknowledgment that rest and relaxation are key to sustaining long-term productivity and happiness. Time away from work is seen as essential for both personal well-being and professional success.

3. Family-Friendly Policies
From generous parental leave to flexible working hours, Denmark ensures that employees can balance their personal and family lives without sacrificing their careers. This extends to both mothers and fathers, reinforcing the idea that family time is just as important as work time.

These practices reflect a clear cultural commitment: balance isn’t a luxury; it’s a fundamental right that enables both personal and professional growth.

So what are we doing wrong?

No, pointing figures to our governmental structures and societal norms would fail to encapsulate the very real differences that dealing with cultures entails.

Besides, it is not our rules nor regulations that hinder our ability to understand work-life balance. The issue runs deeper: to put it simply, we have a misconceived notion of what work-life balance means.

And so, we must change our mindset.

For example, in Danish culture, spending late hours at work is not a sign of a bustling, hard-worker. Instead, late hours are traditionally met with shame, indicating that you were incapable of getting your work done on time.

While I am not arguing for intrinsic differences to monotone, a deeper integration of the Danish mindset could do us wonders on an individual level.

What does Work-Life Balance Truly Mean?

What exactly is the Danish work-life balance? The key, once again, lies in understanding why there’s that lingering sense of shame when work bleeds into life’s other equally important arenas -why it’s seen as a personal failing to leave your work neatly tied up within professional hours.

In Denmark, this isn’t about condemning a hard day’s work; it’s about recognizing that balance is a spectrum, unique to each individual. It isn’t a binary choice of working more or less, but a calibration of your workload to fit who you are.

Take a moment to reflect on my conversation with Mette. Her words weren’t a call to either extreme. Instead, she championed a perspective where your work-life balance is deeply personal. Mette’s own life, balanced between societal expectations and her unapologetic enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures, perfectly illustrates that what works for one might be a catastrophe for anothe r.

That’s why the prevailing advice we see on motivational memes often misses the mark: they tend to push a one-size-fits-all approach instead of inviting us to discover our unique equilibrium.

I, too, fall somewhere in the middle. I consider myself fairly average, but I also experience sudden spurts of workaholism. Admittedly, I’ve had to learn that this is a natural outpouring of my drive, not a flaw. In those moments, I’m fully immersed, letting my true nature surface.

But I’ve learned that these bursts, as intense as they might be, only serve me well when balanced by periods of deliberate pause and self-care. After all, Danish culture isn’t built on a relentless grind. In fact, it’s a gentle reminder that our personal rhythms matter.

Our message to companies ought to be that work-life balance isn’t just a buzz-word, but it is a shared responsibility to 1) understand their employees and 2) give them the freedom to be who they are.

Too often, the myth persists that companies only want to hire workaholics—the idea that relentless hustle is the ticket to success. Yet the Danish model teaches us otherwise. When businesses embrace the full humanity of their workers, they cultivate environments where creativity and productivity flourish without sacrificing well-being. Companies that insist on a one-dimensional, workaholic ideal are missing out on the profound benefits that come from a balanced approach.

So when we talk about Danish work-life balance, we’re not just discussing shorter work hours or generous vacation policies. We’re talking about a cultural mindset that values quality over quantity. In other words, a mindset that encourages you to find your own balance. It’s a call to reject generic advice in favor of personalized, authentic living.

Whether your balance leans more toward intense focus during spurts or towards a leisurely, mindful pace, the most important thing is to honor your own rhythm rather than succumbing to external pressures.

In embracing this philosophy, we honor the Danish commitment to living life fully while working smartly. We recognize that balance isn’t static, nor should it be dictated by societal norms or outdated corporate ideals.

Instead, it’s an evolving practice that requires us to listen to our own needs, much like Mette listened to mine that night at the café in Copenhagen. And ultimately, by finding that sweet spot where our personal and professional lives coexist harmoniously, we pave the way for genuine fulfillment and long-term success.

A Practical Guide to a Practical Work-Life Balance

Changing a mindset is no easy task, but here are some actionable steps you can take to help find your own work-life balance!

1. Reflect on Your True Priorities

Action: Set aside 10–15 minutes each morning or evening for quiet reflection.
How: Write down your core values and the activities that truly bring you joy (e.g., family time, creative hobbies, exercise).
Goal: Identify what you genuinely prioritize so you can allocate your time accordingly.

2. Establish Clear Work-Life Boundaries

Action: Define a strict “end-of-work” time each day.
How: Set an alarm or reminder to signal when you should log off or step away from work.
Goal: Create a consistent transition between work and personal time, ensuring you recharge fully.

3. Create Hygge-Inspired Moments

Action: Incorporate at least one hygge moment into your daily routine.
How: Choose a simple activity that soothes you—such as enjoying a warm beverage, reading a book, or lighting a candle.
Goal: Cultivate a sense of well-being and comfort that reinforces the importance of life beyond work.

4. Introduce Flexibility into Your Schedule

Action: Experiment with flexible work blocks throughout your day.
How: Identify periods when you’re most productive and set aside time for deep work; schedule routine tasks or breaks during your natural winding-down periods.
Goal: Align your work schedule with your natural energy levels, allowing for both intense focus and deliberate rest.

5. Redefine Success on Your Own Terms

Action: Reassess your current work metrics.
How: Instead of measuring success solely by hours worked, track how you feel at the end of each day. Ask yourself if you’re productive, creative, and balanced.
Goal: Shift your definition of success to include both personal well-being and professional accomplishments.

6. Make Self-Care Non-Negotiable

Action: Block out daily self-care time in your calendar.
How: Treat this time as an important meeting with yourself—whether it’s a walk, meditation, or simply a moment in nature.
Goal: Ensure that regular self-care becomes a habitual, non-negotiable part of your routine.

7. Advocate for a Balanced Workplace

Action: Initiate a conversation with your employer or team about flexible working conditions.
How: Prepare concrete suggestions (e.g., flexible start/end times, regular breaks, or wellness initiatives) and present them in a meeting or via email.
Goal: Encourage your workplace to adopt a balanced model that benefits both employees and the organization.

8. Build a Community of Support

Action: Connect with like-minded colleagues, friends, or local groups.
How: Join or start a group focused on work-life balance practices, share experiences, and exchange tips on maintaining balance.

Goal: Create a network that reinforces your commitment to a balanced lifestyle and provides mutual support.

By following these actionable steps, you can start incorporating the principles of the Danish work-life balance into your daily routine. Remember, the key is to honor your individuality—adjust each step to suit your unique needs and circumstances. Small, consistent actions will pave the way toward a healthier, more balanced life.

A Balanced Conclusion

As I reflect on that long night in Copenhagen, hunched over my thesis and teetering on the edge of hypocrisy, I realize that finding our own work-life balance isn’t about abandoning ambition or resigning ourselves to endless leisure. It’s about listening to our inner rhythm and honoring our unique needs.

Just as Mette’s gentle wisdom nudged me to ask, “What’s your balance?”, I invite you to do the same. Remember that our ideal balance isn’t dictated by generic advice or a one-size-fits-all formula. It’s a personal journey, unique to each of us.

By embracing the Danish mindset, where leaving work on time, savoring hygge, and valuing quality over quantity are celebrated, we can start to transform our meaning of work-life balance from an adjective to a noun -from descriptive to a state of being.

Whether you’re a burst-driven workaholic or someone who thrives on quieter days, the key is to be authentic. Let your balance be defined by your passions, your values, and your well-being. Step away from the pressure to conform, and step into a life where you call the shots.

Find your balance, and let that be the foundation of your journey to genuine fulfillment and success.