5 Ways To Switch Off After Work

Here are 5 effective ways you can switch off after work.

Have you tried turning it off and on again? 

Having an active mind can bring various benefits. It can aid productivity, enthusiasm and efficiency in life and the workplace. But it can also be a silver bullet.

Sometimes when stress is high, work can tuck its way into your back pocket as you’re leaving your desk, and invite itself over for the night. Maybe thinking about work at home is acceptable for one day, during specifically hectic periods. But as an everyday occurrence?

 I don’t think so. 

Your inability to switch off could really impact your life and overall well-being. I’m guilty of letting work follow me home, but I recognise it’s not always healthy. That’s why I’m running down 5 ways to switch off after work. Not only to help you if you’re struggling. But also as a reminder to myself to leave work at the office.

Use your commute as a cooldown 

Just as you might do some slow stretching to cool down after a workout. You must give your mind the same privilege. Your mind may not technically be a muscle but it is sure as strong as one. It’s resilient but can get tired and worn out when overworked. 

That’s why building wind-down time into your day can be so beneficial. 

If you flick a switch too fast you’ll blow the fuse. 

But a dimmer switch will ease you into it. 

Use the time between work and home to transition from ‘work mode’ to ‘relax mode’. Try not to spend your commute worrying about work or making work-related phone calls.

On your commute, you could:

• Listen to music

• Listen to a podcast

• Do some deep breathing exercises

• Read or listen to a book

• Plan how you’re going to relax when you get home

Create a routine to help you switch off after work  

We all look forward to going home after a long day at work. Closing that door behind us and breathing a sigh of relief. But that relief can soon dissipate if you don’t have a structure to your evening. Every little act can become a stressor. Making dinner, interacting with family etc.

If you share your bubble with others, consider asking them to give you some space when you first get home. Or if you’re more like me…

Tell them to go away until you feel more human. 

It may seem harsh, but if they love you, they’ll understand. 

Even half an hour of downtime before you have to engage with others can do wonders for your mental health and overall state of mind. 

Breathing, Yoga or Mindfulness

Some people just struggle to relax. It’s in their DNA. For those individuals, they may need to actively try and relax through more direct means. 

For instance, deep breathing, yoga and mindfulness are great examples of physical practices that can help you get back into the driver’s seat. 

Take your mental hecticness into your own hands.

And come home from a particularly stressful day excited to switch off and take back control. 

Do something you love  

We all have something that brings us joy in times of stress. Something that grounds us. 

Whether it’s a hobby, like painting, pottery, or gardening. It’s important to build in time for activities you love every day after work. Maybe you just need to watch your favourite TV show and have a nice big cup of tea – I’m not here to judge. 

Just do yourself a favour. 

Aim to do one thing you love after every shift.

This will give you something to look forward to each day and hopefully distract you from the stresses of work, no matter how momentous they may seem right now. 

Laughter is the best medicine

You know what they say. Laughter is the best medicine. And honestly, I couldn’t agree more. 

Laughter not only makes us feel great, but it also rewires our brain with hope. It can get us through the toughest times in our lives and allows us to see the funny side of stressful situations.

After all, we’re all just people, living on a rock hurtling through space. If that concept doesn’t make you laugh a little I don’t know what to tell you. Try not to take life too seriously. You might find yourself enjoying it more. 

Although it can be hard to switch off after work- I think the sooner we recognise that no work issue is worth bringing home with us at night…

The sooner we’ll start seeing the world in more vibrant colours.