It’s Saturday afternoon. I’m sitting at my computer combing through my feedreader, Tweeting and skimming through sample site designs for ideas on our Support Forum at Diverse Solutions, Inc. Today was a bit of a cleaning day around the house but I also spent a lot of my time on the computer. Reading, thinking, learning basic CSS and coming up with post ideas.

This is good of course. But it’s also bad.

See, when your job involves working in front of the computer all day (especially when you’re a freelancer), it’s easy to get caught up in your work for more than a standard work-day. This can quickly lead to burn-out. [Noupe.com] writes about avoiding freelancer burnout by learning to limit work hours on a daily basis. Whether you’re a freelancer or work a standard 9 to 5, I think that this is something a lot of us need can practice more.

A Few Simple Ways to Avoid Burnout:

• Limit your work hours on a daily basis,
• Take a full day off (unplug and disconnect from everything; yes, even Twitter),
• Get outdoors for some sun and fresh air,
• Pick up a hobby (something that you can do on your own time when you’re not working),
• Get some exercise (add it to your weekly routine, you’ll feel healthier and more energized),
• Know that it’s OK to take a day off (or two or three),
• Set standard work hours not just mentally for yourself, but to set an expectation with clients that these are the hours you’re available,

It’s nice to disconnect sometimes. It helps us recharge and refresh. I’ve done quite a bit of that over the last few days this Thanksgiving break. I’ve spent time with my family and have had some good time to myself. I feel better. I feel recharged. And I still have a full day to myself tomorrow though I’ll probably be back on my computer working on a few things by then…

How do you recharge? Do you find yourself working in front of the computer most of the day? How do you balance work/life?

PHOTO CREDIT: Eneas