Achieving a good work-life balance is crucial to a healthy emotional wellbeing, job satisfaction and ultimately, productivity at work. In today’s digital world it is all too easy to stay switched on at all times, checking emails when we get home and first thing in the morning. It is important that we learn to switch off and embrace our personal lives, in order to get the most out of our work lives.

One way to improve your work life balance is opt for a hobby or a second career. Not only do hobbies actively encourage giving your brain a break from work and stress, they have also been shown to be associated with lower blood pressure, lower cortisol levels and lower levels of depression.

Perhaps you enjoy partaking in a spot of flower arrangement, football, dog walking, fishing or even simply knitting or drawing. Make sure that you allow time to fulfil your interests, and be realistic about when you will have the time to put aside to do the things you love.

Some people find that maintaining two careers is actually more satisfying personally than exceeding at one. This is because two careers tends to involve a larger variety of tasks, activities, problem solving and ultimately, successes. The option to switch off from one subject and move on to another can be a very successful way to switch off from stress and give the brain a break.

It can be easy to get caught up in a busy work schedule after a long day at work and decide you are too tired or stress to enjoy a hobby when you get home. Make sure you dedicate time for activities you enjoy, perhaps committing to 2 or 3 sessions a week. Be strict with yourself – if you don’t do it on one day, make time another day to do it. By making sure these activities happen, you are naturally placing more importance on them in your mind, and achieving a better balance of work and life.

Exercise is a crucial element of a healthy mind and body, as well as helping you to be more productive at work. Exercise releases endorphins which will help you to feel happier, have more energy and importantly, de-stress. The important thing about maintaining a sustainable exercise routing is finding an exercise that you enjoy which can realistically become part of your routine.

With today’s digital age, we are always switched on. With access to your emails 24 hours a day, it is hard sometimes to remember to switch off. Choose set times of day to switch off your phone, particularly nearing bed time. Take time throughout the day to go for 15 minute walks and allow your mind to de-stress, de-clutter and switch off.

If you work from home, that might be shutting your laptop, getting changed into different clothes and moving to another room. If you come in from work, get changed and perform an activity which mentally leaves your day behind.

Whether you feel inspired to take up a new hobby, explore a personal interest or simply want to put time aside for relaxing, there really is no reason not to get started right away. Why not put an hour aside on your next available morning or evening to do something you enjoy, or spend the time looking for a new activity to try?