How to switch off after the office and leave work at work

This approach helps you to reduce anxiety, providing clarity and a sense of accomplishment.

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Transition to out of work mode: Create a ritual that marks the transition from your work to your personal life. This could be absolutely anything, from watching a YouTube video or listening to a podcast on your train ride home, heading to the gym, changing out of your work clothes or calling or texting a friend to talk about something that isn’t related to work.

Whatever it is, your ritual should help you decompress after a long day, switch off and relax.

Set boundaries: Communicate openly with your manager or boss if you are feeling overwhelmed or over-extended at work. It can feel uncomfortable, but it is important to have an honest, pragmatic conversation about your current workload and any struggles or roadblocks you are facing.

Doing so will bring any issues to your manager’s attention so you can work on a productive solution together. Set boundaries around working hours and avoid setting the expectation that you will respond to work calls or emails out of hours.

Switch off and disconnect: Give yourself permission to log off from all forms of communication at the end of the workday. Turn off notifications to avoid seeing late-night emails or take it a step further and delete the email app off your phone entirely.

Instead, prioritise making time for your hobbies, self-care and spending time with friends and family. This disconnect from the array of work apps can help you recharge, allowing you to re-engage with renewed energy.

Your individual situation will be unique so test out the various strategies above and see what works best for you. It’s all about consistency and taking it one step at a time to regain a sense of balance.

When you have a strong work/life balance, you are able to be more present in your personal life as well as be more productive professionally during your work hours.

Remember, you are more than your job. Don’t lose sight of what’s important – your passions, your hobbies, your relationships with yourself and others. It’s time to leave work at work, where it belongs.

Téa Angelos is an entrepreneur, author, speaker and founder of Smart Women Society, an online education company providing innovative products and tools for women to grow their independence with money, career, wellbeing and love.

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