It can be a challenge when your office is in your dining room. But I have set clear start and end times for my work day and have alarms set on my phone during the day to get up and stop staring at a screen. I am a list maker, so I have a list of things I enjoy doing outside of work. Sometimes I find myself wondering what to do and then I just work, so having the list draws my attention and allows me to think of doing something else other than working.

I make sure that I actually take a lunch and step away from my work space (try to get outside, be active, do something that is not on a device, have a healthy meal). The end of my day isn’t always the same because sometimes I end up working late, but once I am done, I don’t check emails, open my work laptop, or anything work-related. I also make sure I take my vacation days as downtime is very important.

I do not know whether it is “balance” but I definitely will set some time for myself. When it is my times, I will close the computer, do not look at the phone, go outside for a short walk or enjoy my coffee.