Regardless of whether you work from home or not, working long hours is not productive or emotionally fulfilling after awhile. Even though you may be extremely busy, working ten or twelve hours may not help you catch up since there will always be more work for you to accomplish. Learning how not to be a workaholic takes time and discipline but with a little practice, you will be able to find a balance between your work and your life.

If people are always commenting on the amount of time you spend working, then you may be a workaholic. If you find yourself constantly thinking about work, then you may need to change the way you approach your work so you can relax and reduce the stress in your life. Being able to strike a balance between work and life is not always easy. Depending on what you do for a living and the demands placed on you by others, you may have to make dramatic changes in order to be happier and more productive in a shorter amount of time.

The first step to reducing the amount of time spend working is to limit yourself to an eight hour day. If you work at home, this means creating a work schedule and sticking to it so you can get your work done within a certain amount of time. If you work for someone else, you may need to restructure your time so you can get everything done without having to stay longer than eight hours. If you have a demanding job, consider switching jobs or stop volunteering to complete tasks that are not yours. This should reduce the amount of time spent at the office.

The second step is to not take work home with you. If you work at home, shutting off your computer, closing your office door, or leaving your home to take a walk or complete chores will help you unwind after a long day. Taking work home is an indication that you could not complete it during regular business hours. While some exceptions can be made as a rule, you should leave all work at the office and forget about it until the next day.

The third step is to relax when not working by visiting friends, taking up a hobby or taking a nap. There are plenty of activities you can engage yourself in when not at work. Instead of focusing on what you have to get done, you should focus on the present and enjoy the moment. Being a workaholic is not healthy emotionally, physically and intellectually. You will be more productive when you give yourself a chance to relax each evening and on the weekends.