Over the past decades, laptops and smartphones have changed how people work. Many people feel they need to always be available, always online. These conditions blur the boundaries between work and personal lives, often leading to exhaustion and burnout.

Work-life boundaries help you separate work from the rest of your life, helping you shed your work persona, engage more in your personal life, and rest and relax.

Our Creating Work-Life Boundaries worksheet provides practical steps and examples for setting and reinforcing boundaries. The steps described are:

• Wind down
• Set an intention
• Modify your surroundings
• Change your behavior

Use this worksheet with clients who experience work stress, anxiety, and feelings of overwhelm. After going over this handout, help your client find energizing or relaxing ways to spend their time after work. Clients should use these strategies consistently, as the benefits will add up over time.