What is one strategy you use to set healthy boundaries between work and personal life? How has this boundary setting positively impacted your mental health?

Question

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial in today's fast-paced world. This article presents practical strategies for setting boundaries, drawing from the wisdom of experts in the field. Discover effective techniques to prioritize family time, manage technology use, and create a more balanced lifestyle.

Ashley Kenny · Answer

My definition of a healthy boundary between work and personal life stems from my role identity at a given time in my life. As the mother of two elementary-aged kids, this identity drives my boundary setting, positively impacting my mental health. The calendar is my friend: I set boundaries for weekend days and those when my kids are off school. I inform my team that while, of course, I'm available for a true "emergency question," I'm otherwise not available and hope they wait until the weekend/holiday is over to contact me. Similarly, I respect my team members' time, helping them set such healthy boundaries. When I do have to work at home, I inform my kids and spouse, asking for a block of time, not "any free minute," so they know I'm not to be disturbed until the time is over, and then I'm back with them as my priority #1! My self-care clearly impacts my positive relationships, both in and out of the house.

Bill Lyons · Answer

I disable notifications after hours so that work does not intrude upon my personal time, and I can ensure that I'm engaging in relaxing, restorative activities with family and friends or enjoying my personal hobbies. This has greatly improved my mental health as it decreases anxiety, allowing me to essentially and fully separate from work when I choose.

Jose Gomez · Answer

One strategy I use is implementing a 'tech-free' hour before bed. This means no emails, no Slack, no scrolling through social media--just time to unwind and disconnect. By creating this digital detox zone, I've found that my mind is clearer, and I sleep better, which significantly boosts my mental health. It's like giving my brain a chance to recharge, so I wake up more focused and ready to tackle the day. This simple boundary has been a game-changer, helping me maintain a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Michelle Scott · Answer

This was a challenging issue for me to resolve. As a therapist, I want my clients to feel supported when they need it most—and as a solopreneur, I also feel the pressure to respond quickly to new client inquiries. I noticed I was checking and responding to emails in the evenings and on weekends, and it was starting to encroach on my personal life. I wasn't fully present with friends or family, and I could feel the mental burden increasing.
So, I made a simple but powerful change: I stopped reading or responding to emails after business hours. Why? Business hours are typically 9 to 5, right? So why shouldn't mine be, too? Most emails can wait until the next day—it's really not that urgent. As for weekends, the same logic applies: many businesses are closed. Why can't mine be?
Adopting an abundance mindset helped significantly in this process. If a prospective client truly wants to work with me, they'll wait for a response on Monday. If they're shopping around for therapists and move on, then perhaps we weren't the best fit anyway—and I'm comfortable with that.
Regarding current clients, they know I'm available for genuine emergencies via text or a brief call. In crisis situations, I assess whether an immediate session is necessary or if they should go to the ER for a psychiatric evaluation.
So, how has this boundary benefited my mental health? I can actually disengage my mind after work. I have clearer boundaries—for myself and for my clients. I'm no longer stressing about missing a new client inquiry or the potential income associated with it. And my clients understand when and how to reach me, which makes everything feel more grounded and manageable.

Doreen Nunez · Answer

As the founder and creative director of Mommy Rheum, a chronic illness website aimed at parents and patients, it's easy for me to fall into the trap of working at odd hours with no real stopping point. I'm deeply passionate about what I do, sometimes to the point where I've been tempted to sacrifice sleep just to complete a task. But as someone with a chronic illness and a family, I've had to learn the importance of pacing myself.
One strategy that's really helped is visualizing my day before it begins. I mentally map out blocks of time for work, and just as importantly, for everything else. This includes carving out space for a walk, a trip to the gym, time in the garden, or just playing games with my family. Doing this not only helps with setting boundaries but also with building balance.
Living this way can be an adjustment, especially with earlier conditioning of the hustle culture pre-pandemic. Post-pandemic, many of us have learned to live slower and more intentionally. 
It's easier to tell ourselves that we'll slow down in the future and savor moments then. However, I've learned that this sort of internal dialogue precedes burnout. Being preemptive and prioritizing balance has made a huge difference in my energy, my stress levels, and my overall ability to be consistent for myself, my business, and the people I love.

Paul Jameson · Answer

One strategy I use to set healthy boundaries is being really deliberate about carving out time that's just for me and my family, with no exceptions. When I'm with them, I'm present. That means no emails, no Slack, and no checking in on how things are going at Aura. It wasn't always easy, especially in the early days of the business when everything feels urgent. But I learned that stepping away actually makes me a better founder. 
After my diagnosis, I realized how precious time is, and I wasn't going to let work blur into every moment of my life. Giving myself that clear separation has helped me stay grounded. It's also helped me think more clearly when I step back into work mode. I don't carry the weight of everything all the time, and that's been huge for my mental health. I'm more creative, more patient, and more energized.

Scott Clyburn · Answer

One strategy I use to maintain work-life balance is setting an out-of-office email responder and blocking off my calendar every weekend. Knowing that anyone trying to reach me gets a clear message that I'm unavailable helps me truly disconnect--without guilt. Even if I peek at my inbox, I feel no pressure to respond until Monday. This simple habit has had a huge impact on my mental health, allowing me to recharge and show up refreshed.

Hayden Cohen · Answer

Invest in multiple devices. It's one thing to say that you aren't going to take any work calls or emails after hours, but when the apps are in your pocket, it can be tempting to break that boundary. I have a phone and a laptop that are exclusively for work, and I leave them in my office at the end of the day. I have a short list of employees who have my personal number for emergencies, but otherwise, when I'm off the clock, I'm off the clock. It's allowed me to better make time for my family, my hobbies, and taking care of myself.

Eduard Mirzoian · Answer

I've learned that being "on" 24/7 isn't a perk, and is actually a fast track to burnout. So, I started carving out time for micro-getaways. This often means spending an afternoon by the ocean or a few quiet hours in a park. These aren't just breaks; they're a reboot for my brain, giving me the chance to power down from the daily hustle and come back sharper and more energized.
Since I began taking these short breathers, my mental clarity has improved and I tend to make smarter choices, stay calm in the chaos, and look at problems with a different point of view. Some might think you need to be reachable all the time, but stepping away briefly actually refreshes my perspective, something non-stop grinding never could.
For all you fellow entrepreneurs, consider giving micro-getaways a try. They're simple to slot into your schedule, flexible, and incredibly effective for regaining your focus. All it takes is giving yourself permission to take a pause.

Philippe Ménard · Answer

For those struggling with people-pleasing behaviors, setting good boundaries needs to be put in place in two ways: communication and environment management. To give an example, we'll look at the strategy of setting specific times when you are available to work, and personal time when you will not respond to work messages. Telling your co-workers, employees, or employer that you will not answer messages after a given time of day is the communication side of things. Setting your e-mail to "Do Not Disturb" to automatically disable notifications from your work e-mail and chat spaces would be environment management.
People with a naturally strong sense of personal boundaries can simply use communication. They will have no issues reminding people when they have crossed their set boundaries. People pleasers, on the other hand, often reach a breaking point before even communicating their boundaries. These kinds of conversations can be incredibly difficult for them and emotionally draining. When someone crosses their communicated boundary, the people pleaser's fear of rejection will let them justify and rationalize to themselves that it is only this one time, that it must be important, or that the boundary wasn't even necessary in the first place. This is where environment management supports them. With automated responses and offline "Do Not Disturb" labels, the software plays the crucial role of reminding coworkers about previously communicated boundaries.
As a therapist who specializes in helping people pleasers, I have many clients who are absolutely exhausted by "insane work demands," yet often they have never explicitly communicated with their employers about their limits. Some of my clients are also the first people to respond to work requests during off hours and, in doing so, subtly encourage their coworkers to request help whenever they like. This behavior is not rational and stems from their fear of rejection, which at work can be an unhealthy fear of being fired and anxieties around imposter syndrome. Using software tools to help you set boundaries can "automate" a portion of this emotional work and give you back mental energy previously lost in frustration over broken boundaries.

Brittney Scott · Answer

I work from home and I had to create a separate workspace to establish a balance. I don't bring my laptop all over the house, and if I need to work, I go to the designated space. This makes my bedroom, kitchen, and living room areas for family and not blended with work. When I allowed myself to work in every room, it felt like work never ended. I would open my laptop to "check in on something really quick," but it never ended up being quick.

Tammer Malaty · Answer

One boundary I've set that has made a significant difference is turning off all work notifications on my phone after 6 PM. I used to tell myself that being available made me a better leader, but in reality, it was draining me and quietly feeding a sense of never being done. Now, when the day ends, it actually ends. I give myself permission to be fully present with my family, or even just with myself.
From a mental health perspective, this boundary has been grounding. It protects my nervous system from staying in a constant state of alertness and allows for real recovery. The quality of my attention--both at work and at home--has improved. Instead of reacting to every buzz or ping, I'm more intentional about how I respond, and I find that I bring more clarity and calm to both spaces. The separation has not only helped me recharge but has also reminded me that my worth is not measured by how reachable I am.

Work-Life Balance Tips: Strategies for Setting Healthy Boundaries

Work-Life Balance Tips: Strategies for Setting Healthy Boundaries

Use Your Calendar to Prioritize Family Time

Disable Notifications for After-Hours Peace

Implement a Tech-Free Hour Before Bed

Establish Clear Business Hours for Clients

Visualize Your Day to Build Balance

Carve Out Uninterrupted Family Moments

Set Weekend Out-of-Office Messages

Separate Work and Personal Devices

Take Micro-Getaways to Reboot Your Brain

Combine Communication with Environment Management

Create a Designated Workspace at Home

Turn Off Work Notifications After 6 PM

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