Simple Yet Powerful Ways to Create More Work-Life Balance
These simple yet effective tips will help you set boundaries, create transitions between work and personal time, prioritize joy, and manage stress through mindfulness and meditation.
Finding work-life balance feels harder than ever—especially if you're juggling a demanding career, a family, and the never-ending to-do list of life. But the good news? Achieving greater balance doesn’t require a complete life overhaul. Small, intentional changes can make a huge difference.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or like work is creeping into every part of your life, these simple strategies can help you reclaim your time, energy, and peace of mind.
1. Set Clear Boundaries for Work Hours
One of the biggest challenges in today’s work culture is that work doesn’t have a natural “off” switch. But if you don’t set clear work hours, you’ll always feel like you should be doing more.
Decide when your workday starts and ends, and stick to it. If possible, communicate these boundaries with your team, clients, or boss. A hard stop at the end of the day helps create mental separation between work and personal time.
When I worked in corporate as a sales director for a tech company, I told my boss that I would be offline from 5–9 PM every day. As a single mom, I knew how limited and precious those evening hours were with my young children, and I wanted to be fully present. I let my boss know that I’d check email before bed for anything urgent, but otherwise, I’d be in “mom mode.”
I set this boundary at multiple companies, and each time, my bosses respected it. Communicating a request like this can feel uncomfortable at first, but the upside is totally worth it. And honestly, your boss will likely respect you even more for it.
If you’re the boss, remember to lead by example. Don’t respond to emails at all hours of the night—or worse, don’t send them. When you email employees after hours, it puts unspoken pressure on them to respond in their free time, which disrespects their personal life.
2. Create a Transition Between Work and Personal Time
If you work from home, this step is even more important. Without a commute to signal the end of the workday, it’s easy for work to bleed into your personal life. Try creating a ritual that helps you shift gears—whether that’s taking a short walk, listening to music, or changing into comfortable clothes.
If your office is in a main room of your home and can’t be closed off, try covering your computer or workstation to create a visual boundary. This can help if you struggle with stepping away from work in the evenings. When I’ve had a home office, I’ve always closed the door and cranked up a favorite playlist to help me mentally transition from work mode to “off work” or “mom mode.”
Even if you work in an office, a transition ritual—like decompressing in the car with a podcast or stretching before you walk inside—can help you mentally switch from work to home life.
One of my personal strategies for maintaining clear roles in my extremely busy life is using clothes as a signal. I dress for work every day—this was true when I worked in corporate, and it’s still true today after eight years of working for myself. I believe you perform better and are more productive when you’re dressed for work. This also makes it easier to transition into off-time because as soon as I shut work down for the day, I immediately change into something comfortable.
3. Schedule Activities That Bring You Joy
You wouldn’t skip an important meeting at work, so why skip the things that bring you happiness? Make it a habit to schedule fun activities, hobbies, or personal time into your calendar—just like you would a work obligation.
This is a key part of my coaching method and something I work on with executives every day. As Americans, we rarely prioritize activities that simply bring us joy. We’re much more focused on careers, making money, and maybe squeezing in time with family or a workout. But rarely do I come across a client who consistently schedules time for things they genuinely enjoy.
Once you understand how essential this is to your overall fulfillment, success, and happiness, you’ll start making time for it—trust me! The benefits are undeniable. Engaging in activities, hobbies, crafts, or sports allows you to temporarily “escape” the stress of work by giving you something that requires your full attention. The act of working with your hands or focusing on something you love has a meditative quality that helps clear your mind. It creates a sacred pocket of time where your nervous system can take a break from stress and anxiety while it recharges.
The more consistently you schedule at least an hour a week doing something you truly enjoy, the more you’ll feel the benefits. When you finish an activity you love—whether it’s playing a sport, taking a dance class, ice skating, horseback riding, learning a new craft, or cooking a beautiful meal—you experience a sense of accomplishment and a rush of joy. This, in turn, recharges and refuels you, making you more productive in all areas of life, including work.
Note: Working out does not count! Even if you love to work out, that falls into a separate category of your life—one that’s equally important but does not replace finding an activity that brings you joy. This category is solely about doing something you enjoy—something you can improve at over time, which will bring you even more joy as you progress.
If you’re struggling to find something, think back to what you loved doing as a kid—chances are, you’ll still enjoy it as an adult. Prioritizing joy is just as important as prioritizing productivity.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Learn to play an instrument
Play golf, tennis, or any sport you enjoy
Join a casual local sports team
Volunteer at an animal shelter if you love animals
Garden, bake, or explore a creative hobby
Take a class—learn to cook, build something, or master a craft
Try singing, horseback riding, dance, hiking or anything that sparks your interest
The options are endless! Find something that lights you up and make it part of your routine.
4. Use Daily Tools to Manage Stress and Unwind
Stress is inevitable, but how you manage it makes all the difference. Find simple ways to decompress throughout your day—whether it’s journaling, listening to music, taking deep breaths, or even a five-minute stretch break.
Meditation is, in my opinion, the most powerful tool—not only for managing and releasing stress but also for helping you visualize and create the life you desire. Even just 10 minutes a day spent in silence with intention can be incredibly effective.
I recommend searching for guided meditations on YouTube—there are great ones on any topic you want to focus on. Whether you’re looking to build confidence with positive affirmations, attract more abundance, or clear negative energy and align your chakras, there’s something for everyone. And they work. A consistent practice will bring noticeable results over time.
Note: You don’t need to have a quiet mind when you meditate—that comes with years of practice. The goal is simply to listen to the words in a guided meditation. Doing this alone will start clearing your mind of other thoughts, which is the essence of meditation. So even if it feels like you’re just sitting there with a racing mind, keep at it. Over time, you’ll get better at listening and letting go.
Small stress-management habits, practiced consistently, can help you feel more in control of your day and less drained by work.
5. Be Present Outside of Work—Turn Off Notifications and Put Your Phone Down
It’s tempting to check emails or respond to messages outside of work hours, but that constant connection keeps your mind tethered to work 24/7.
Try setting specific times to check emails and messages, then put your phone away when you’re with loved ones or enjoying personal time. The more present you are outside of work, the more refreshed you’ll feel when you return.
6. Move Your Body
Physical movement isn’t just great for your health—it’s a powerful way to reset your mind, boost your mood, and release stress.
Find ways to incorporate movement into your day, whether that’s a walk outside, a quick stretch at your desk, or a workout you love. Moving your body regularly can help prevent burnout and give you more energy to tackle everything on your plate.
The Bottom Line
Work-life balance isn’t about doing less—it’s about being intentional with your time and energy. By setting boundaries, creating transitions, and making space for joy, mindfulness, and movement, you’ll feel more in control of your life instead of constantly reacting to work demands.
Try implementing just one or two of these tips this week and notice the difference. A more balanced, fulfilling life is possible—you just have to create it.
Thoughts? Let me know how these work for you or if you have some tips that help you feel more fulfilled in your daily life.
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My interview on Portland’s ABC morning show AM Northwest on how to have better work-life balance.
About the Author
Sarah Centrella is a sought-after expert in personal development, with over a decade of experience coaching teams and executives at leading companies like Pinterest, Nike, Sony, Verizon, and Morgan Stanley. She is the Founder of VIVIAMO and author of three best-selling books and the creator of trademarked methods that provide actionable strategies for creating purpose-driven lives and thriving workplaces.
