How to Create Boundaries Between Work & Home?

In his book “Atomic Habits” James Clear talks about the importance of our environment on our #habits. Our brain tends to associate one activity with one environment. For example, if you want to exercise in your living room, the same place you usually sit on the couch & watch Netflix. Your brain will drift to more pleasurable activity and the one that performed longer within the space. The living room gives a cue to "sit & relax".

A similar situation is now with our homes becoming working spaces. You are one of the lucky ones if you’ve got a separate room that you converted into an office. However, the majority of us working from our bedrooms, kitchens tables, living rooms. And now our brain is so confused and constantly battling these multiple cues: am I supposed to relax in my bedroom or do I have to stay focused? How do you want me to work productively from the couch if everything I want to do is play video games & watch TV?

I can already hear you say: “This is all very interesting, but what do I do if I live in a one-bedroom apartment and have to work here as well?

Here Are Tips on How to Create Boundaries Between Your Work & Home

🌱 “One space, one use” (by James Clear): a chair for working and a sofa for reading, a separate desk for working, or at least one side of the table for your laptop and another one for eating.

🌱 Fake commute: before starting your workday & after finishing it, go for a short walk outside. It creates a separation between parts of the day and also gives you “me time” to reflect. Even if you just go out of the door, take a deep breath and come back mentally visualising that you finished ur workday. You created a ritual and your brain will follow.

🌱 Cover your TV, PlayStation with a cloth while working, so you are not distracted.

🌱 Position your desk so your bed in not in your eyesight. When finished ur day cover your work station with a piece of cloth, so ur brain knows bedroom is now a place to relax.

🌱 Turn off notifications for emails, work messengers after working hours. Don't be tempted to check & reply.