Stop Working From 9 to 5 (am)

We all have reasons for wanting to work a lot. Money. Success. Promotions. But to be our best at work, we need to make time to relax, too. Nothing is better than coming back to your work with a refreshed mind and less tired eyes. Here are 9 ways to do exactly that:

1.) Put Down the Smartphone

It’s easy to get caught up in checking email on your phone every five minutes. If you’re doing that when you’re at home, can you really say you’re done working for the day? Set a time for yourself when you don’t look at your work email inbox.

2.) Pick Up a Hobby

You don’t want work to completely define your life, because you can experience a major identity crisis if you lose your job. This is not to scare you or imply that you should prepare for the worst, but having a hobby will let you define yourself outside of the office. And best of all, no one can take a hobby away from you.

3.) Budget Carefully

It’s good to budget for financial health, but saving money can also work wonders for your work/life balance, too. Spending less than you earn will give you the freedom to use your money for your outside interests. With that extra money on hand, you can treat yourself to a yoga class, a hockey game, or some relaxing rounds of golf on the weekends.

4.) Plan Leisure Time

You schedule time on your calendar for important projects and meetings because you can’t afford to forget them. Treat your leisure time the same way. Make like Allyson Piper, the owner of the marketing firm Marketing in Bloom. She sets Fridays aside for a personal time, and her employees know this and plan accordingly.

5.) Set Your Priorities

Learn to say no. FlexJobs CEO Sarah Sutton Fell makes a list of all the personal events in her loved ones’ lives so that she never misses them. Do the same, and don’t fear saying no when you feel overloaded.

6.) Delegate

Have your subordinates take care of the less important tasks. You’ll get to spend more time on big projects needing your attention. When you’re done with those, you can leave work without worrying about a million other little things you need to complete, too.

7.) Take a Vacation

Vacations are good for both the “work” and “life” sides of the equation. Even if you can’t afford to get away and opt for a “staycation,” being out of the office will help you recharge. On the other hand, staying in a new place—especially if it’s abroad—can spark your creativity. You’ll see new ways of doing things in unfamiliar places, and you may be inspired to bring a new way of thinking to your workplace.

8.) Meditate

It’s easy to get caught up in the constant movement of everyday life. Meditate, even if it’s just for five minutes. This will help you relax and cut through all the noise of the day. If you meditate at work, it will also help you focus better on your upcoming tasks.

9.) Write Things Down

Work can be a source of tension. Sometimes a co-worker will say something that rubs you the wrong way. Sometimes your boss will blame you for things that are out of your control. Instead of carrying negative feelings from work into your home, write them down in a journal.

BONUS TIP: Rely on Modern Technologies

Use modern technology to boost your sales instead of trying to do everything alone. SEO and digital marketing services can make your job easier. Sometimes you have to work smarter to achieve success and elevate your business to a higher level. Leisure is important for succeeding at work, but it’s also important that you have fun just for the sake of having fun. Practice these 9 tips, and your work/life balance will get better in no time.