Due to the rise in hybrid working and working from home roles over the past two years, employees are finding it increasingly difficult to fully disconnect from work when it is time to clock off. With bedrooms doubling as office space, it can be difficult to distinguish that line between work life and personal time. When you are unable to switch off, you risk finding yourself being burnt out. Below are our suggestions for how to disconnect from work when the working day is done.
Have a designated workspace
It goes without saying that having a dedicated area for working is the best set up. In an ideal world, you would have a separate room for your home office, but if space is limited set up your space in a dedicated area specifically set aside for work. This will help you to create an important mental wall between home and work which can help you to avoid burnout. Read our article on the importance behind your working from home space for more tips.
Have a transition ritual
Humans are creatures of habit, and in a “traditional workplace” when we finish work there are certain practices that we run through. Many employees find it easier to complete a transition task when they finish, in order to help their brain associate the difference between work hours and personal time. This can be as simple as doing some deep breathing, or taking a walk around the block to mimic a physical commute.
Other transition rituals include changing out of your “work clothes” into more comfortable attire, and making sure you turn off your work devices – or at least silence the notifications! In a “traditional” workplace, a commute, getting changed, turning off your computer, are all cues that help us to transition from work to personal time. It is important to create similar signals for yourself when working from home, otherwise you risk never being able to switch off!
Have a schedule
Make sure that you don’t spend hours working past clock off time. In the office you have the visual cue of co-workers leaving to signal when the day is coming to an end. When working from home, set an alarm on your phone or email calendar 30 minutes before the end of the day. You don’t have to finish work then, but it is a helpful nudge to yourself to start finishing up tasks for the day.
Plan your tasks for tomorrow
It is difficult to wind down when you have tasks for tomorrow swirling round your head! End your day by writing down your tasks for tomorrow – whilst bearing in mind what is achievable! This helps your brain to relax as it knows that the most important tasks for tomorrow wont be missed.
