Boundaries between work and personal life have thinned and, in some cases, disappeared altogether over the past year. With working and schooling from home becoming a new norm, meetings and calls are scheduled at all hours and there's nothing to stop you from logging on late at night or early in the morning.
And it's not just about work, said Virginia Williamson, LMFT, co-owner of Collaborative Counseling Group. "Couples and families that had found ways of manageing discord or dissatisfaction" through separate activities or outside resources have been "cut off" from many of these boundaries. "Even those couples and families that tend to experience low levels of distress are having difficulties crop up because everyone has been in each other's physical and emotional space for so long," she said.
What to do: When it comes to work, "it is important to know when to close the laptop," Dr. Schiff said. (Easier said than done.) "I have been doing a lot of work with my clients on setting boundaries at work, assertive communication, and the need for self-care," O'Sullivan said. Have a conversation with your manager, if necessary, to set concrete work or school hours and stick to them. Try turning off your laptop or your work notifications when you're off. Take time off, if you can, to help avoid burnout.
If your boundaries with friends, family, or roommates are fading, have a conversation with them about your needs. Take a walk if you need a break, and don't be afraid to speak up if you need time for yourself. "Talk about how you're feeling," Williamson added, and don't let the frustration build up inside before you speak up.