RFC: seperating work and personal data/environments

I use my Debian desktop for both work and personal uses. I have trouble with work-life balance, and I think segregating may help. I'm looking for tips on the best ways to accomplish this.

First thought is to create a user each for work and play, but I guess I'd want to somehow restrict applications to one or the other, and I do use some of the same. (Browser, IDE)

Second thought is to dual boot with an entirely unrelated install.

Is there a better way that I haven't thought of?