What is a work-life balance? In short, having a work-life balance means that you have control over your schedule and you’re able to create boundaries and separate your work-life from your personal life.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, working from home has become a more convenient and common way of working. However, it is now more important than ever to maintain a work-life balance, particularly when considering mental health.

When you work from home, it can be challenging to differentiate between your work-life and your home life as you’re in the same physical environment. The boundary between work and personal life becomes blurred, which can lead to increased stress and adversely affect your mental well-being.

So, how can you create balance? Here are a few great tips for creating work-life balance:

Create a Strict Schedule

Time management and organisation of work tasks are a major aspect of scheduling.

  • Set times to take your breaks from work.
  • Find time to focus on your personal life.
  • Arrange time to focus on yourself.

Keeping the different aspects of your life separate will help lower stress levels and prevent mental health issues, such as depression, in the long term.

Set Boundaries

Setting boundaries can encompass various things. 

  • Establish work boundaries by ending the workday at consistent times. 
  • Avoid checking your emails or thinking about work beyond that time.
  • Set environmental boundaries
  • Have a space dedicated only to work

Creating a space or using another available room exclusively for work will give you some sense of an office-like environment that can help you concentrate during work hours, whilst also allowing you to better physically separate your work-life and personal life.

Prioritise Your Mental and Physical Health

It’s important not to shy away from being assertive when necessary. 

  • Your mental health should be a priority for both you and your employer.
  • Don’t hesitate to communicate your needs and boundaries to your employer
  • Advocate for yourself

If you’re struggling, it can negatively impact your work, potentially leading to a downward spiral. Prioritising yourself is essential for work-life balance.

Remember, taking care of your mental health ultimately benefits both you and your job performance.

Take Breaks

When working from home it’s sometimes difficult to break up your day. However, you should always set times to take a break from the computer screen as you normally would in a regular work environment. Going outside when possible or sitting in another room to eat lunch and other small things like that will help you refresh yourself for the next hours of work.

Manage Your Environment

This mainly encompasses arranging a specific area or room for work so that once you have physically left the space, you will no longer feel like you’re at the office. One major disadvantage to working from home is that if you don’t set this kind of specific environment, your entire home will begin to feel like your workplace. Stress of work tasks will follow you and your mental health will likely suffer.

A good balance between your work-life and personal life has never been more important. The management of this balance can cause ripple effects that can harm all aspects of your life, which is why it’s important for you to understand how to maintain your life outside of work as you begin to forge your professional reputation.