Many people struggle with maintaining a work life balance and find themselves thinking about work well after their mandatory hours. Here are some tips to switch off after work, including some for those who work from home.
1. Create a routine
Establish a series of activities you enjoy doing that you can implement as soon as you finish work. This could be listening to a podcast on the journey home, heading to the gym, or coming home and having a nice long bath before anything else. This routine could be as simple or as detailed as you want. Over time, this routine will become so natural, you won’t be thinking about work because you already have a set of other things to do.
2. Learn to say no
You are not required to do anything that you don’t really want to do outside of your work hours. There is no need to feel guilty for protecting your mental health and your precious energy.
3. Limit your phone use
It can be tempting to check your work email, maybe sending a quick reply which seems harmless enough. But this can soon lead you to spending a much longer time dealing with work after hours than you expected to. Set restrictions and turn off notifications on apps you use for work to eliminate potential distractions.
4. Plan your day off and annual leave in advance
A well deserved day off from work can be refreshing. However, what can end up happening is that you get so consumed by the monotonous rhythm of work that when that day finally arrives, you can’t figure out what to do with yourself and those thoughts about work start creeping in. Planning nice things to do ahead of time saves you from feeling unproductive.
5. Write away your worries
Sometimes thoughts can linger even when we’ve made it back home. Maybe it’s that upcoming deadline or that interaction with a coworker. Instead of carrying it in your head, dumping your thoughts on a piece of paper or on your phone can lighten the mental load and make it easier to carry on with the rest of your day.
6. Exercise
A high intensity workout might be the last thing on your to do list after a long work day. But a simple walk or some gentle yoga will be enough to help release any tension you may be holding onto.
7. Cook a delicious dinner
This might feel a little time consuming, but that is why it is a great way to distract yourself from work. And at the end of the day, you’ll feel much better after a hearty meal.
8. Catch up with friends
Whether it’s calling them up or meeting them in person, give yourself the chance to connect with the people you love. Before you know it, you’ll be lost in a riveting conversation.
People working from home can follow all of the above, but these tips below may further help.
9. Tidy up
Your workspace and home can get blurred when you’re working from home. Removing the things you use for work from plain sight can help to establish the boundary between your work and home life.
10. Change your clothes
Whether you’ve been wearing office wear the whole day or not, putting on fresh clothes, especially something more comfy, can help disconnect from work and prepare your mind for relaxation.