A lesson Americans can learn from an expat who moved to Lithuania: enjoying life while you can.

Living in Lithuania for over a decade has taught Bernard Meyer a crucial lesson about work-life balance.

In 2024, Lithuania, situated in northeastern Europe, was ranked as the world's happiest country for young people and the 19th happiest country overall in the World Happiness Report.

Since childhood, Meyer resided in Miami and later attended college in Indiana. In 2012, he relocated permanently to Vilnius, Lithuania's capital city, where he currently resides with his wife and two daughters.

The senior communications and creative director at marketing automation platform Omnisend, who is 39 years old, has observed a significant difference in work culture between the U.S. and Lithuania, where people enjoy a more relaxed and slower pace of life.

In an interview with CNBC Make It, Meyer stated that he believes that each person has control over their work-life balance.

"When people turn off at 5 or 6 p.m., they leave and head to the bar to relax, whether they're young or have kids, they bring their kids along and explore the city."

Meyer added, "I believe Americans can learn to appreciate the enjoyment of life while still young and capable."

'Learn how to have ... more of a life outside work'

While Americans are often associated with a work-centric culture that can lead to overwork and burnout, Lithuania was ranked 11th in the world for work-life balance in 2021, as per the OECD.

Meyer stated that he is not opposed to 25-year-olds or younger individuals working 12 hours a day at work, as it is a time when they can do so. However, once they pass that age, it is important for them to learn how to balance their work and personal life.

Your family is likely the most important thing to you if you have one, as you'll be working at a place where, in five to ten years, no one will remember your presence once you're gone, but your family will.

Nature — and vacations — are important

The abundance of "green areas" and walkability in Vilnius are reasons why people there like to disconnect after work, according to Meyer.

"After work, people are relaxed and can be found strolling, riding scooters, or sitting at cafes in the streets like Old Town," he stated.

"He stated that they grew up in an environment where nature was highly valued, which instilled in them a deep appreciation for it. As a result, they have created a city that prioritizes nature, and this cultural value drives them to seek out natural surroundings, which they find fulfilling in their current location."

He has observed a difference between Lithuania and the U.S. in how individuals perceive vacationing.

Meyer stated that during their time in the U.S., they never took a vacation and did not know anyone who willingly went on vacation.

He no longer encourages his team at Omnisend to work on weekends or vacations.

He stated that working in the emergency department of a hospital is not part of the European culture, and that although there may be fires, it does not mean one has to give up their vacation.