7 Practical Tips to Maintain Work-Life Balance When Working from Home
- Editorial Team
- Oct 28, 2025
- 6 min read
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Remote work has become more than a trend; it is now a permanent shift in the way businesses operate. Since the coronavirus pandemic, countless organizations have embraced hybrid work and fully remote work arrangements.
While this shift allows employees to avoid commuting and enjoy flexibility, it also comes with challenges. Remote workers often face blurred boundaries, answering work emails, conference calls, and chat programs late into the night.
The COVID pandemic accelerated this shift, but the struggle to disconnect is real and ongoing.
Employee well-being depends on balance. Without it, mental health and physical health suffer, leading to burnout and reduced employee productivity.
Fortunately, remote workers and hybrid workers alike can use practical strategies to find stability.
Here are seven practical tips to help you maintain work-life balance while working from home.
1. Set Clear Work Hours
Remote employees who lack defined work schedules often experience burnout and mental exhaustion. According to Harvard Business Review, unclear boundaries reduce employee engagement and long-term productivity.
A structured work schedule protects your work-life balance while helping you stay focused and consistent.
What you can do:
Use Google Calendar, Trello, ClickUp or other scheduling software to set firm work-from-home hours.
Begin and end your day at consistent times, just as you would in an office.
Shut down your laptop, silence your work phone, and log out of communication tools - like Microsoft Teams, Slack, etc. - at day’s end.
2. Create a Dedicated Workspace
Working from the dining room table or couch may feel convenient, but it quickly blurs personal and professional boundaries.
Research shows that physical separation between work and home supports better work-life balance and employee wellness.
A dedicated home office boosts focus, productivity, and mental health by signaling when it’s time to work and when it’s time to rest.
What you can do:
Set up a specific home office or desk area, even if it’s just a small corner of your room.
Invest in ergonomic furniture or a standing desk setup to protect your physical health.
Position your workspace near natural light for regular Vitamin D exposure and improved mood.
Use visual cues, like closing your laptop or shutting the office door, to mark the end of the workday.
3. Stick to a Daily Routine
Remote work often tempts you to work irregular hours, but inconsistency can drain your energy and blur the line between work and personal time.
Establishing daily rituals helps you signal when the workday begins and ends, giving balance to both professional and personal life.
What you can do:
Start your day with a morning ritual, such as exercise, meditation, or reading.
Plan your tasks ahead using time-blocking or to-do lists to stay on track.
Take regular breaks to reset your mind such as short walks, stretching, or a quick coffee break.
End your workday with a “shutdown routine,” like closing all tabs, reviewing your progress, or writing tomorrow’s priority list.
Tools that can help:
4. Take Regular Breaks
Working from home can sometimes make you feel like you should be glued to your desk all day. Studies show that the most productive workers follow a rhythm, working in focused bursts and then stepping away to recharge.
Regular breaks not only refresh your mind but also prevent burnout and boost creativity.
What you can do:
Try the Pomodoro Technique: 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break.
Step outside for fresh air or sunlight to reset your energy.
Use short breaks to stretch, hydrate, or grab a healthy snack.
Avoid turning breaks into screen time. Rest your eyes and body instead.
5. Prioritize Self-Care
When you’re working from home, it’s easy to let personal care slip, such as skipping meals, staying up late, or spending too much time at your desk.
But taking care of your health is directly tied to your productivity.
A well-rested, nourished, and balanced body performs far better than one running on caffeine and late nights. Self-care ensures that you’re not just working, but thriving.
What you can do:
Maintain a healthy diet with balanced meals instead of quick snacks or fast food.
Exercise regularly. Even short stretches, yoga, or a 20-minute walk can make a difference.
Get enough sleep to improve focus and decision-making.
Practice mindfulness to manage stress and stay present in your workday.
Set work-life boundaries so your professional life doesn’t spill into your personal time.
Tools that can help:
MyFitnessPal – Helps track meals and nutrition.
Nike Training Club or FitOn – Free workout routines you can do at home.
Headspace or Calm – Guided meditation and breathing exercises.
Apple Health or Google Fit – All-in-one apps to track steps, workouts, and overall health.
6. Limit Distractions and Stay Focused
Working from home comes with endless temptations like scrolling through social media, checking personal messages, or even getting sidetracked by house chores.
While some distractions are unavoidable, too many can break your focus and slow down your progress.
The key is to create a system that minimizes interruptions and keeps you engaged with your work.
What you can do:
Set specific work hours so family or housemates know when you’re unavailable.
Turn off non-essential notifications on your phone and computer.
Use a dedicated workspace that signals "work mode" to your brain.
Batch similar tasks together (like answering emails at set times) to avoid constant switching.
Try focus techniques like the Pomodoro method (25 minutes of work, 5 minutes of break).
7. Disconnect After Work Hours
One of the biggest struggles with working from home is knowing when to stop. Without the clear boundary of commuting, work can easily spill into your evenings, making it feel like you’re always “on.”
This lack of separation can lead to burnout and affect your personal life. Setting clear boundaries is essential to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
What you can do:
Set a hard stop time and stick to it. Log off just as you would leave the office.
Create a shutdown ritual like closing your laptop, writing a to-do list for tomorrow, or tidying up your workspace.
Physically separate your work area (if possible) so you can “leave” work behind.
Avoid checking emails or work chats after hours unless it’s truly urgent.
Plan after-work activities (exercise, cooking, hobbies) to signal your brain that the workday is done.
FAQs
What is work-life balance?
Work-life balance is the ability to manage your professional responsibilities while still having time and energy for personal life, family, and self-care.
It’s about maintaining healthy boundaries so neither work nor personal life consistently overwhelms the other.
What is the 8-8-8 rule for work-life balance?
The 8-8-8 rule divides your day into three parts: 8 hours for work, 8 hours for personal time, and 8 hours for sleep. This framework helps you maintain balance and avoid burnout.
Does working from home improve work-life balance?
Working from home can improve work-life balance by reducing commute time and offering more flexibility. However, it requires clear boundaries, as the overlap between home and work can sometimes blur.
How to manage remote work-life balance?
You can manage remote work-life balance by setting clear work hours, creating a dedicated workspace, and prioritizing self-care.
Taking breaks and disconnecting after work hours also play a big role.
Is remote work dying in 2025?
No, remote work is not dying in 2025. While some companies are bringing employees back to the office, many businesses continue to embrace hybrid and remote models because they boost productivity and support employee well-being.
Conclusion
Balancing work and personal life takes effort, especially when your office is only steps away. The secret is setting boundaries, prioritising rest, and making time for what recharges you.
If you’ve been asking how to maintain work-life balance while working from home, start with small habits: set up a dedicated workspace, follow a routine, and allow true downtime.
Remote work offers flexibility, but it also requires responsibility for your health and happiness. With mindful choices, you can enjoy the perks of working from home without losing sight of the life you want to create.
Ready to take control of your work-from-home routine? Start with one step. Small, consistent habits create lasting change. Share this with a friend working remotely, and start building a healthier work-life balance together.
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