Finding Work-Life Balance While Working From Home: Routines That Get You Out of the House

One of the biggest perks of working from home is the flexibility—but that flexibility can easily become a trap. Without a clear separation between work and life, your days can blur together. It’s all too easy to log “just one more hour” or fall into the cycle of finishing work and immediately flopping onto the couch without having left your apartment all day.

I’ve definitely been there: feeling burnt out, unmotivated to make plans after work, and stuck in a loop of work-eat-scroll-repeat. But the truth is, building small habits and intentional routines outside of work makes a huge difference — not just for your mental health, but for your energy, productivity, and overall happiness.

Here are a few simple ways to build a routine that actually supports a balanced, fulfilling work-from-home lifestyle without adding stress or overcommitment.

🌞 Start Your Day With a Walk

Before checking emails or opening your laptop, try stepping outside for a short walk. It doesn’t need to be long. A 10-15 minutes with a good podcast or a morning news show like Up First can help you mentally transition into the day. It sets a tone, creates a bit of structure, and gives you a tiny burst of accomplishment right away.

🧘‍♀️ Add Structure With Activities Outside the House

The key to balance is creating natural “bookends” to your day and week.

• Workout classes – Having a set class to show up for a couple times a week gives your schedule structure.

• Bar trivia nights with friends – Easy, low-cost activity to break up the week.

• Coffee out once a week – It may sound small, but knowing that Wednesday morning = coffee drink from your favorite neighborhood café can give you something to look forward to.

🧺 Evenings in the Park: NYC’s Backyard

If you live in a city like New York, parks become your backyard and they’re the perfect low-key way to spend time outside without needing a full plan. Pack a few easily transportable essentials (think: a lightweight blanket, portable speaker, snacks, and a chilled drink) and head to your nearest green space for a casual after-work picnic.

This has become one of my favorite ways to wind down during the warmer months—whether it's solo with a book, catching up with a friend, or just people-watching as the sun sets. It’s simple, refreshing, and gives you a reason to log off on time.

🐾 Get Paid to Step Outside

If you’re craving more movement and extra income, signing up for a dog-walking app like Rover can be the perfect side hustle. You’ll get outside, move your body, and have some built-in companionship.

🎨 Find a Creative or Community Outlet

Sometimes, the best way to shift out of “work brain” is to do something with your hands—or connect with people outside your work circle. A few ideas:

• Join a pottery studio with a flexible membership—you can drop in after work, zone out, and create something tangible.

• Volunteer once a week at a food pantry, animal shelter, or community garden—something that gives back and connects you to others.

• Pick up a part-time weekend job at a local shop or café if you miss in-person interaction. Sometimes having some scheduled time out of the house is exactly what your routine needs.

🌙 Protect Your Evenings

It’s easy to let work hours stretch into the night, especially if you’re not logging off for anything specific. Try to:

• Set a screen-time cutoff — even just putting your phone away 30 minutes before bed can help your brain wind down.

• Create an evening ritual — a walk after dinner, a non-work book, or a wind-down playlist.

Balance Doesn’t Mean Busy

None of this has to be rigid or packed into every single week. The goal is to build in just enough structure to keep your days balanced, give you something to look forward to, and protect your energy for both work and life.

If you’re feeling stuck or burnt out working from home, try adding one new routine this week. Maybe it’s a Tuesday trivia night or a walk around the block each morning. See how it feels—and adjust from there.