getting a good balance in work and life is hard
This is the truth.  I think the way people define work is important in figuring out a good balance.
yes the work and leisure dichotomy was first suggested back in the 1800s
I wonder which doctors worked on leisure dichotomy in the 1800's then.  It's been 200 years and I'm not sure how much progress we've made.
yea finding a good balance between work and living a healthy life, too much of either is unhealthy
I agree.  I think too much of anything can be bad.  Finding a balance in all things is essential.
work life balance is hard to find but everyone has to try or you cant live a healthy life
Well I think that goes without saying.  Everyone has to try but the extent to which each person is able to try varies.
The term isnt too old in the united states either, only since 1986
Are you referring to the term "Work"?  Or is that the year that the term started to be defined differently?  Since the advent of the internet many things that weren't considered work are now common money making opportunities among todays workforce.