Jennifer Aniston, 56, opened up about her struggle to maintain a work-life balance, admitting that she is a workaholic who finds it difficult to make time for herself within her demanding career. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE magazine, the actress shared her efforts to separate work from the rest of her life.
Aniston, known worldwide for her role as Rachel Green in the television series Friends, maintained a steady presence in the entertainment industry since her breakout role. “I’m a bit of a workaholic, so I force myself to take time to travel and not work,” she confessed, expressing her difficulty in disconnecting from her professional commitments.
Currently starring as Alex Levy in Apple TV+’s The Morning Show, a role that earned her critical acclaim and a Screen Actors Guild Award, Aniston experienced particularly intense years of work. “I’m trying to take it easy, because it’s been some really intense years of work,” she said, referring to her busy lifestyle as an in-demand actress in Hollywood.
“It’s so critical, I know, but I’m not good at it,” Aniston admitted, underscoring the need to live enriching experiences outside the professional realm. She believes that self-care is more important now than ever. “Our work is diminishing returns at the end of the day if you’re just working so much that you don’t have any wonderful life experiences,” she stated.
“It looks like a blank schedule—there’s not one thing on it. That’s a perfect day, and then I can figure out what that day looks like as it goes,” the actress said, describing her perfect day off. When she does have downtime, she enjoys days without commitments, illustrating her desire to find balance in her life.
“I’m trying desperately to learn how to create those auto replies when emails and texts come in, where it’s like, ‘I’m away forever. But call me in December, I’ll be back,’” she remarked with a laugh, sharing her attempts to set boundaries with work communication.
“There’s a lot that we need to not focus on, because it’s so awful and ugly. So we need to also remember to focus on the beauty and the positivity that’s also existing in our world right now,” she noted, reflecting on life’s challenges. This perspective shows her commitment to maintaining a positive outlook despite the demands of her career.
The Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award-winning actress acknowledged that while work has been a part of her life, personal experiences are crucial. “Our work is diminishing returns at the end of the day if you’re just working so much that you don’t have any wonderful life experiences,” she reiterated, affirming the importance of finding fulfillment beyond professional achievements.
Aniston’s career spanned decades, beginning with her breakthrough on Friends from 1994 to 2004. She since participated in numerous television and film projects, consolidating her career particularly in romantic comedies with performances in films such as Marley & Me (2008), which was a box office success.
As she navigates the demands of her profession, Aniston remains determined to achieve a better work-life balance. “Focusing on creating a better work-life balance for myself is a top priority,” she stated, committed to personal well-being.
Her role in The Morning Show was especially demanding, contributing to the sense of exhaustion she describes. In her search for greater balance, Aniston began to implement strategies to separate her professional life from her personal life. This includes setting clear boundaries and making efforts to prioritize rest and personal experiences.
Written with the help of a news-analysis system.