Discussions around work-life balance have become increasingly common throughout the professional workforce. While some companies push for higher productivity and pressure employees into burnout, others have found that intentionally pushing employees to develop a healthy work-life balance is actually a better strategy. Here are some tips for how to achieve a healthy work-life balance on your own.

Keep Work in the Office

One of the best things employees can do is make boundaries between work and personal matters. In the age of remote work and technology, it’s easy for work to encroach on the home and make it harder to step away at the end of the day. Making an office space, even if it’s just a desk or table, can help keep work all in one place. Additionally, muting work-related notifications on devices after work hours is a great way to avoid getting distracted by work matters later in the day.

Embrace the Word “No”

Not all work events are optional, but it’s important to remember that it’s okay to say no sometimes. If someone asks if you have time to help them with a project, it can be hard to turn them down, but if you’re already swamped with work you can point them toward someone who might have more time.

Make Time for Self-Care

It’s hard to stay motivated and productive at work if you aren’t taking care of yourself. Making time for a full night’s sleep, eating a well-balanced diet, and getting regular exercise can lead to more productive work days. If your work schedule is making these things challenging, it might be time to reevaluate your workload and see what you can adjust.

Plan Breaks

No one can work at full-focus for eight hours straight. Planning breaks throughout the day helps you give your brain a rest and refresh your mind. Skipping lunch breaks is a common trend, but these breaks are important. Even just taking a quick walk once a day to get the blood flowing can do wonders for focus and productivity. Some professionals find success in planning their day with schedule blocks, allowing five to ten minutes of break time after an hour of focused work, or something similar.

Different jobs and lifestyles might have different solutions for achieving a healthy work-life balance, but these tips are a great place to start. Burnout is at an all-time high and having a healthy balance is one of the keys to avoiding burnout and staying motivated in the workplace.