The “hustle culture” has led many people to believe that work is what gives their life meaning. But, clocking long hours can damage our productivity,  quality of work and jeopardize our mental and physical health.

The dangers of burnout become apparent in the office culture of overworking when the only relief from work stress seems to be doing more work. This suggests we find it easier to prioritize our work than we do ourselves and health. 

The lack of workplace boundaries can be a bigger issue for professionals who live alone because the acceptable reason people stop working at a reasonable hour is typically for family commitments, either with children or ageing parents. 

According to a study interviewing 36 UK professionals living alone: “Not only did they feel unable to request working-time flexibility, but they also felt unable to refuse requests to work over and above their contracted hours.”

3 Tips for establishing workplace boundaries to ensure strong mental health

1.  Make free-time activities a priority in your life. Try booking your art class for 5:30 pm or boxing class for 6 pm. so that you establish a non-negotiable schedule that gets you out of the office at a reasonable time.

2. For those who are achievement-oriented, set personal goals that are unrelated to work, such as running a half-marathon or reading a book a week. This helps give you a clear reason to finish the workday on time and focus your energy towards your personal pursuits.

3. Be strong and self-disciplined when it comes to resisting the urge to check emails after work hours. If you’re concerned about missing anything important then arrange with your manager or team members for them to text or call you regarding any urgent work concerns. 

Prioritize your health and wellbeing

We all need to remember that our physical and mental health is a priority –it’s the foundation of our wellbeing.  It’s not only acceptable but a healthy approach to ensure our free time is work-free, whether we choose to enjoy our time with family, friends, exercise, or entertainment. After all, we’re more productive, creative, and happier in our job when we’re scoring optimum health. 

Download Snapclarity to gain access to our mental health platform today!