How to Leave Work at Work (Even When You Work from Home)

It’s incredible how flexible remote work can be. There’s no commute, no rigid office hours, and you can work in sweats if you like. The downside? The line between professional and personal life has blurred.

As your living room doubles as your office, it’s easy to feel like you’re on — all the time. Emails get answered at midnight, Slack alerts interrupt dinner, and your brain refuses to shut down when you close your laptop.

The problem? The more work you bring home, the less time you have for rest and recovery. As a result, burnout creeps in, relationships strain, and productivity actually drops. For your personal and professional well-being, it’s essential to learn how to leave work at work, even if your desk is in the kitchen.

But, is it really possible to separate work and life when they share the same address? Yes, it is. And, here’s how.

Why Separation Matters

There used to be a natural boundary between work and home when commuters commuted to and from work. Driving or riding the train served as a reset button that switched your brain into a different mode. When these transitions don’t occur, many remote workers remain mentally “in work mode” after the workday ends.

If the lines between the two are blurred, there can be a host of adverse outcomes, including;

• Mental and physical health. You can mentally and physically “switch off” from work when you have a boundary. By taking time for rest and relaxation, you can reduce your stress levels, prevent burnout, and improve your physical and mental health
• Increased productivity. By setting work and rest times, you can focus and be more efficient while working. To function at its best, the brain needs recovery time. When you take a break, you’ll return to work more creative and prepared
• Stronger personal relationships. Continually being “on call” for work can negatively affect your relationships with family and friends. By setting boundaries, you can enjoy your family time and build strong relationships
• Improved job satisfaction and loyalty. An employee who has a healthy work-life balance is likely to feel more engaged, satisfied with their job, and loyal to their company. On the other hand, a lack of boundaries can lead to resentment and a higher turnover rate
• Avoiding “time famine.” It’s possible to experience a sense of time famine in a culture that prioritizes constant work. When you intentionally separate work and home life, you have time for hobbies, self-care, and personal pursuits that bring you joy

Creating clear boundaries can offer both professional and personal benefits, whether physical (a dedicated workspace) or psychological (unplugging from technology)

Working From Home? Here’s How to Disconnect from Work

Even if your office is a few steps away from your couch, here are practical ways you can leave work at work

Create a dedicated workspace

By setting aside a dedicated workspace in your home, you’re telling your brain: “This is where I focus.” Your office doesn’t have to be private; a corner of a room with a desk and chair can suffice. As you leave this place at the end of the day, you symbolize the end of your workday.

Set clear start and stop times

When working from home, it’s easy to get sucked into sending one more email. Instead, set up specific start and end times that can’t be changed. Reinforce those boundaries with reminders, alarms, or even a digital calendar. Eventually, your body and brain will adjust to this rhythm, allowing you to shut down at the end of the day more easily.

Establish a shutdown ritual

End-of-day habits are like “off switches” for work. For example, take a few minutes to write tomorrow’s to-do list, shut down your computer, and tidy up your workspace. It’s a small ritual that gives you closure and signals that you’re done

Physically separate work and home

If possible, avoid working at the same spot where you relax. By keeping your laptop off the couch or kitchen table, you can preserve these spaces for your personal use. You can even create a sense of separation with a folding screen or curtain

Change your environment after work

Whenever you work from home, you never really “leave.” A simple trick is to take a walk around the block or drive around the block to change your scenery. By doing this, we mark the boundary between our professional and personal lives.

Dress the part

The way we dress has a profound effect on our mindset. In other words, by wearing “work clothes” at home and changing into casual clothing when you’re done, you’ll be able to establish a boundary. You don’t need a suit — just a clear distinction between your work and leisure clothes.

Protect your personal time

It’s tempting to check your messages after hours, especially when your phone pings with work notifications. Once you’ve stopped working, try silencing them. Feeling guilty is normal, but remember that respecting your personal time makes you more productive at work.

Communicate boundaries with others

If you live with family or roommates, inform them of your work schedule so they respect your “office hours.” Likewise, inform your boss about your availability. The sooner you set expectations, the quicker people will adjust.

Use separate devices or accounts

Whenever possible, use separate devices for work and personal use. If that’s not an option, you can create separate user accounts or browser profiles. As a result, you’ll be less tempted to look at work tabs while trying to relax.

Build transition activities

Set up a consistent after-work activity that allows you to enter the personal mode. Whether it’s cooking dinner, hitting the gym, or diving into a hobby, this can be a great way to spend your downtime. In time, your brain associates that activity with the end of work and the beginning of relaxation.

Prioritize non-work activities

When you have something to look forward to, you’re more likely to stop working. So, schedule time with friends, exercise, or creative projects. By incorporating meaningful personal activities into your calendar, you will be less likely to let work take over your life.

Give yourself permission to log off

Often, working from home comes with guilt: “If I’m here, I should be working.” But productivity isn’t about being available all the time. In the end, it’s about delivering results. It’s important to remember that rest is part of the process and that downtime makes you more effective for tomorrow.

Make your weekends feel different

Whether you work remotely all week or not, weekends should be a highlight. Consider changing your routine: sleep in a little later, cook something special, or plan an outing. As a result of these small shifts, a sense of separation between work and personal life is reinforced.

Avoid mixing work and personal tasks

Even though folding laundry during Zoom calls may seem efficient, it can leave you feeling never fully rested or fully working. Instead, to stay present in both areas, batch personal chores before and after work hours.

Learn to say no

It’s common for remote workers to feel pressure to be available at all times. When we say yes to everything, such as extra meetings, after-hours requests, and weekend emails, we burn out. When you say no respectfully, your time is protected and your sense of balance is reinforced.

Redefine success beyond work

When crossing off work tasks gives you a sense of accomplishment, it’s hard to stop. Instead, celebrate your own personal achievements, such as cooking a healthy meal, finishing a book, or spending quality time with family. By framing success this way, productivity is no longer the sole measure of success.

Be patient with yourself

It takes practice to establish a clear line between work and personal life. Occasionally, you’ll check your email after dinner or blur the line. You don’t have to see this as a failure. It’s just an opportunity to start over and try again tomorrow.

Final Thoughts

If your home doubles as your office, leaving work at home isn’t always easy, but it is possible. When you set physical, mental, and digital boundaries, you permit yourself to recharge. When you recharge, you’re more focused, creative, and resilient the next day.

Image Credit: KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA; Pexels