Working from home can be an isolating experience when you are tucked away in your home office, devoid of face-to-face contact from supervisors or clients. Although working in a telecommuting job or starting your own home business can be rewarding, it’s important to make time for recreation and positive interaction with others. Here are some suggestions of steps you can take to avoid losing yourself in your work.

Make clear divisions between work time and relaxation. Schedule breaks throughout your schedule and set aside time to interact with others. You can schedule 30 minutes, an hour, or more time to be with friends or loved ones. Take a walk with a friend; go out for lunch. See a movie. Participate in clubs and church groups.
Groups with scheduled meeting times are beneficial because members may call you to remind you of upcoming meetings or make a friendly call if you have missed several meetings. Groups hold you accountable if you are a work-a-holic. Sometimes you need a little push, someone to tell you that you are overdue for some fun.

Plan a vacation. Everyone needs a vacation. Get-aways do not have to be elaborate. You can take a day trip to an attraction in your city or a neighboring city. Splurge on an overnight stay in a hotel. Think about all of the places near you that you never have time to visit. Set a date; make your plans and go. Go with people you enjoy. Set a budget and stick to it, so you won’t later regret your adventure. Take a lot of pictures, and have a good time.

Go to bed at a decent hour. It’s easy to get so caught up in your work that you are literally working around the clock. If you work in your bedroom, you are especially inclined to work too much. You need your rest, and late hours spell trouble for your work performance in your business and work at home jobs.

Don’t feel guilty about taking time off. People who balance work and play are healthier and more productive. Your family and friends are more important than your work. You are probably working at home so you can spend more time with your family and become financially independent. Don’t end up sacrificing time with family and friends for money.