Don't feel guilty if you regularly require some time alone to relax and refresh yourself, even if there are jobs to be done. Everyone needs some time alone.
Keep hours that are slightly different from those of the rest of your family. Get up earlier to recharge your energy, perhaps by doing a couple of exercises, or stay up a little later at night.
Invest in an answering machine and turn it on when you don't want to be disturbed, even though you're at home.
Set aside your own private area in the house as a sanctuary. This might be part of the study or a spare bedroom.
Put aside a certain time in the week when the rest of the family isn't allowed to bother you. It might be half an hour on Sunday morning so that you can listen to the radio in peace. If necessary, put up a 'Do not disturb' sign on the door.
Go for a long walk. Or if you'd rather be alone in a crowd, go to a concert, a film or a museum.
Learn to respect other people's privacy, too. Knock before opening a door, especially your children's bedrooms; don't open others' post or read their diaries or listen in on their phone conversations.
