Australians are one of the hardest working people in the world spending almost 200 more hours at work each year than the international average. But are longer hours at work affecting our work-life balance?

For 67 per cent of Australians, work is what gives them their sense of identity. Not surprising considering we spend one-third of our life at work. But Australians work longer than people in most other nations - spending an average 1855 hours at work each year in comparison to the international workers who typically do 1643 hours. As a result, half of us are feeling tired and run down, which can affect our productivity.

Because we’re spending a significant portion of our lives at work – here are some tips from the Cultivate team to make sure you’re performing at your best at work:

MOVE – Get up from your chair regularly, organise meetings outside or take a walk at lunchtime with colleagues. Anything to get moving – research shows that sitting for long periods increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

EAT WELL – Enjoy a variety of foods at work. If you like snacking, instead of reaching for the lolly jar, keep a container full of dried fruit and nuts by your desk instead. Have a protein food at lunch, like a lentil patty; it will help sustain energy levels throughout the afternoon.

RELAX – Stress can sometimes creep into the workplace and it’s important to identify stress triggers and have an action plan to reduce stress. Ten minutes in the sunshine, a quick walk or a flick through a magazine can often help stressful situations.

Most of us work so that we can share quality time with family and friends or pursuing our interests and hobbies. So, take the time to care for your wellbeing at work – it can make things we do outside of work much more enjoyable and fulfilling.