By: Amber Cherrette

Technology has brought many benefits to our workplaces, but along with these benefits, there are often blurred lines between work and home.

Smartphones have made it so we can be easily accessible at all times, which can sometimes feel helpful but can also lead to feeling like you are always working. Often these blurred lines between work and home can lead to dissatisfaction with work and even burnout. It can also prevent our leisure activities and time at home from being restorative in the ways that we need. Here are some methods that we can find balance, and maintain it using both boundaries, rituals, and meaningful time off. Boundaries create clear barriers between work and home. Rituals remind your body and mind of this switch from work to home. Meaningful time offsets aside time to provide for other needs such as rest, social connection, or recreation. 

Boundaries:

• Having a specific end time at work, and sticking to it. If you end the workday at 5 pm, leave at 5 pm. 

• Delete work-related applications from your devices or put them on Do Not Disturb when you are away from work.

• Do not check work-related emails outside of work hours.

• It’s okay to say No! If someone asks you to perform work during your off hours you can decline.

• If you take break breaks during the workday, use this time for non-work-related activities. 

Rituals:

• Change out of your work clothes upon returning home. 

• If the day has been stressful, set aside a specific amount of time to discuss work-related topics with someone close to you (10-15 minutes) and end work-related talk after this time.

• Listen to a specific song on the way home from work that helps decompress. 

• Place work materials in a specific spot out of sight. 

Time off: 

• Take the paid time off offered to you. 

• Plan activities that feel restorative during your time off. 

• Make time for rest; rest is productive! 

• Check-in with yourself periodically about what you need during your time off, socializing, rest, recreation, creativity, etc.

• Try not to compare your time off with those around you, we all have different needs when it comes to our time away from work.

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