6 Tips To Switch Off From Work And Reduce Your Stress
Becoming the healthiest version of yourself can feel like climbing the tallest mountain every single day. It seems like no matter what you do, there’s always something there to knock you back, making it impossible to achieve what you want.
Many people feel like work is one of the most significant issues that stop them from becoming their best selves. Even if they enjoy their job, it still gets in the way far too often, and their time off is still spent thinking about the next project or meeting. Understandably, this causes plenty of stress, so here are some tips to help you switch off from work, reduce stress, and become your best self.
Establish Boundaries
As more people work remotely, boundaries at work have become increasingly important. Just because you’re accessible at all times shouldn’t mean you are available at all times, and managers and co-workers need to understand this.
Establishing boundaries about when you should be contacted or how long people should leave it before chasing you up will keep your work-life healthy. You won’t work too much, and it will also encourage others to think of other solutions before running to you with every problem they encounter.
Make The Work-to-Home Transition Easy
Whether you work from home or come and go from the office, you need to establish a convenient and effective work-to-home transition. For many, this is the commute. They left the office at five on the dot and then had some time to decompress before getting home.
But, if you work from home, you may feel like you can always do a few more minutes. This can make it challenging to move from one mindset to the other, especially if you work in your living room or kitchen. You need to find a way to make your transition easier, such as closing your laptop, playing music, or going to the gym at the same time every day to avoid working longer than you need to.
Get Stuff Done
It’s tempting to do a little here and there throughout the day, but this can often mean that you don’t get enough done. If you’re looking for a good way to reduce stress and switch off, look at chores that can reduce stress and do those once you finish work.
You can quickly develop a routine that focuses on specific chores. Monday could be vacuuming, Tuesday laundry, and so on. Establishing this routine will make your household more organized and give you an excuse to stop working, especially if you’ve already done enough overtime.
Silence Your Work Devices
Too many people find it difficult to switch off because they keep their work devices on even after they’ve finished. If an email comes through, they feel compelled to answer it. This issue is similar to establishing boundaries, and it’s easier to do this if you switch your phone and laptop off.
If the device is off, you don’t need to worry about anything until you’re due to work the next day. However, be aware that some managers will take drastic steps to get in touch with you. This is usually a sign that you should look for a new job as soon as possible.
Do Something Fun
Switching off after work is much easier if you do something fun. Everyone has something they love to do, so doing this on days when you feel particularly stressed will do you a world of good.
Whether you go to the gym, see friends, or simply cook a delicious meal, you can take your mind off all the stress and struggles of the office and treat yourself to something that you deserve because if you don’t, then who will?
Get More Sleep
A lack of sleep is a common cause of stress, especially if you’re thinking about work while laying in bed tossing and turning. There are ways to ensure you get more sleep, such as through exercise, cutting out caffeine, and improving your bedroom atmosphere.
However, some people find that these don’t work. Instead, you may benefit from a sleep aid to make it easier to drift off. You can look at the differences between CBN vs CBD to get an idea of the best approach to take and help you get more sleep, reduce stress, and become happier and more efficient.
Switched Off
Switching off is beneficial for everybody. But this doesn't mean mindlessly staring at the TV. Instead, find other things to do when you’re not at work. You could exercise, find a hobby, read, or just chill on the sofa. As long as you get your downtime, you’ll feel less stressed and more capable of anything.