 Our world before COVID is quite different to 15 years ago. We have better computers, mobile phones, internet, social media and we used to travel more easily. We can communicate with others on a global scale. This sometimes made it more difficult to balance the difference between home and work. Now, with COVID, that distinction for most of us has really blurred, especially if we work remotely instead of being physically present in our offices. We can find ourselves constantly juggling between work responsibilities and personal commitments, for example to partners or children. This can increase stress levels and decrease performance. It can impact physical and mental health, relationships with colleagues, family and friends. Chronic prolonged stress has been linked to heart disease, lower immunity, higher end blood pressure. Being able to draw the line between work life and personal life is crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Finding a balance between the two is what matters the most. We are individual humans and we each have to find our own balance. How do I balance my work and personal life? Take time to acknowledge that a good work-life balance is absolutely vital. Acknowledge that this is a new way of working and it is important to adjust and keep looking for that balance. Agree work boundaries with colleagues and supervisors, for example when you will be contactable unless there is an emergency. Include periods of rest during the work day. Think about your work practices and whether they're helpful. If you're working from home, dedicate a specific physical space for work. This way you could subconsciously associate the different functions with each space and you can more easily separate work from personal life, for example leisure. Take annual leave even if you cannot go away. Practicing self-care is another way of improving your work-life balance. Doing exercise, limiting screen time, eating healthily, doing meditation or breathing exercises, avoiding alcohol and tobacco are all part of a very important self-care routine. Finally, limit things that waste time at work and your personal life, like checking social media and aimless chatting. A healthy work-life balance isn't the one size fits all, but it's necessary that you understand your needs and can establish boundaries. Work-life balance affects how well you perform at work and the quality of your downtime.