Recovery and work–life interface

Job demands have shown a tendency to increase, to such a degree that work-related stress and work–life conflict have become a serious and pervasive problem in many countries (Poelmans, 2005). Whereas there is a considerable literature on the consequences of high demands within the workplace (among others, Bakker and Demerouti, 2007; Lee and Ashforth, 1996), there has been less emphasis on the role of recovery from the associated strain during non-work time. In this review chapter, we argue that adequate daily recovery after work is crucial for the maintenance of well-being and work–life balance. Recovery may occur in the context of work and non-work (Geurts and Sonnentag, 2006). The first is referred to as internal recovery and may occur during short breaks from work. The second is called external recovery and occurs during after-work hours, during weekends, and during longer periods of respite such as vacations.