Balancing Lab Work and Creative Projects: Mental Well-Being Challenges?

Working in a lab requires a lot of precision and focus, which I enjoy, but I’ve noticed it can be mentally draining when paired with creative hobbies like sound design and game development. After long hours of meticulous work, switching gears to something more imaginative feels tougher than expected. Has anyone else dealt with this kind of mental whiplash? How do you find the energy to stay creative when your day job demands such a different mindset? Also, does anyone have tips for avoiding burnout when juggling structured and unstructured work? Curious to hear how others manage this balance.