For many of us, the lines between work and leisure time have become increasingly blurred. The rise of remote and hybrid working has made it easier to take work home with us, and the constant connectivity of technology has created a sense of always being "on". But what's the perfect way to switch off from work and recharge? Research by Business in the Community has found that 55% of employees feel pressured to respond to calls or check emails outside of work hours, while high workloads drive two-thirds of workers to put in overtime.
The key to a successful daily de-stress routine lies not just in leaving work at the office, but also in creating a clear boundary between the two. This means setting aside dedicated time for self-care and relaxation, without the distraction of work-related tasks or notifications. According to Claire Ashley, author of The Burnout Doctor, "Practising a daily ritual serves as a cue to deactivate the stress-response system". For some, this might mean moving their body, while others prefer loud music or Wordle.
But what's most important is not just what we do, but how we feel about our work during that time. According to Sabine Sonnentag, a professor of work and organisational psychology, "Our research identified four important recovery experiences for recuperation and unwinding". These include psychological detachment (forgetting about work), the successful completion of tasks or challenges that boost feelings of self-worth, autonomy, mastery, meaning, and affiliation.
For many of us, though, it's easy to get sucked back in. With constant notifications from our phones and emails, it can be tempting to check work-related messages even outside of work hours. But this is a problem not just for individual well-being, but also for the company culture as a whole. As Louise Cashman, a business psychologist and wellbeing manager, notes, "We have a big problem with presenteeism in this country... Being terminally 'on' prevents employees from getting the physical and mental rest they need and can trigger burnout."
So how do we create healthy boundaries between work and leisure time? According to Ashley, it's all about communication. By setting clear limits and expectations with colleagues and managers, we can avoid the pressure to be constantly available. It's also important to remember that taking breaks and prioritizing self-care is not just good for us, but also for our employers. As Cashman notes, "Boundaries shouldn't be perceived as shirking or making life difficult for others... In fact, communicating your boundaries clearly makes not just your life but others' lives easier".
Ultimately, the secret to a successful daily de-stress routine lies in finding what works for us and standing by it. Whether that means setting aside time for exercise, spending time with loved ones, or simply enjoying a quiet evening at home, it's essential to create a sense of separation between work and play. By doing so, we can recharge, refocus, and return to our work refreshed and revitalised.
The key to a successful daily de-stress routine lies not just in leaving work at the office, but also in creating a clear boundary between the two. This means setting aside dedicated time for self-care and relaxation, without the distraction of work-related tasks or notifications. According to Claire Ashley, author of The Burnout Doctor, "Practising a daily ritual serves as a cue to deactivate the stress-response system". For some, this might mean moving their body, while others prefer loud music or Wordle.
But what's most important is not just what we do, but how we feel about our work during that time. According to Sabine Sonnentag, a professor of work and organisational psychology, "Our research identified four important recovery experiences for recuperation and unwinding". These include psychological detachment (forgetting about work), the successful completion of tasks or challenges that boost feelings of self-worth, autonomy, mastery, meaning, and affiliation.
For many of us, though, it's easy to get sucked back in. With constant notifications from our phones and emails, it can be tempting to check work-related messages even outside of work hours. But this is a problem not just for individual well-being, but also for the company culture as a whole. As Louise Cashman, a business psychologist and wellbeing manager, notes, "We have a big problem with presenteeism in this country... Being terminally 'on' prevents employees from getting the physical and mental rest they need and can trigger burnout."
So how do we create healthy boundaries between work and leisure time? According to Ashley, it's all about communication. By setting clear limits and expectations with colleagues and managers, we can avoid the pressure to be constantly available. It's also important to remember that taking breaks and prioritizing self-care is not just good for us, but also for our employers. As Cashman notes, "Boundaries shouldn't be perceived as shirking or making life difficult for others... In fact, communicating your boundaries clearly makes not just your life but others' lives easier".
Ultimately, the secret to a successful daily de-stress routine lies in finding what works for us and standing by it. Whether that means setting aside time for exercise, spending time with loved ones, or simply enjoying a quiet evening at home, it's essential to create a sense of separation between work and play. By doing so, we can recharge, refocus, and return to our work refreshed and revitalised.
I feel you! It's like, we're always "on" 24/7, right? And it's hard to just switch off when your phone is constantly buzzing with notifications. I mean, I get it, work can be stressful, but so can life outside of work. We need that balance, you know? 
For me, setting aside time for self-care and relaxation is crucial. It's not always easy, but trust me, it's worth it. My fave way to unwind is just putting on my favorite playlist and having a good cry (I know, I know, sounds dramatic). 
But seriously, finding what works for you and sticking to it is key. And don't be afraid to communicate your boundaries with others – it's not about being "off" or shirking work, it's about taking care of yourself. 
... like, who doesn't know how to set boundaries already? 
setting aside dedicated time for self-care is so important, like, we can't just be constantly "on" 
all the time. 
some people need exercise, others like loud music or Wordle... but it's all about finding what works for us and sticking to it 
... communication is key too, like setting clear limits with colleagues and managers... it's not about shirking or making life difficult for others 
... it's about taking care of ourselves first 
.
. And don't even get me started on "presenteeism"... isn't that just code for "I'm available 24/7 and willing to sacrifice my mental health"? 
. Anyway, I think the key is setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care. Like, if you're not getting any value from your work outside of work hours, it's time to log off 
. And let's be real, sometimes that means saying no to colleagues or managers who can't respect your downtime 
. Boundaries are key, folks 
!
?
. The thing is, most people feel pressured to respond to work emails or messages outside of work hours, which is just creating a toxic cycle 
.
. And it's not just individual burnout - companies are feeling the impact too 
.
. Plus, prioritizing self-care and making time for relaxation is essential 
. I mean, have you seen the benefits of meditation? 
Reducing stress by 68%, improving focus by 30%... it's like a science experiment 
. It's not selfish - it's necessary for our mental health and productivity 
. So, let's all take a cue from the experts and start setting those boundaries 
. Nowadays, everyone's always "on" and expecting a response, no matter what time of day or night. I think that's just crazy! We need to set boundaries and prioritize our own well-being, especially when it comes to work and self-care. It's not selfish, it's necessary 
. If we can't even take a few hours off without checking emails or getting calls, how are we supposed to truly relax and recharge? 
on one hand, it's great 2 have more control ovr ur life & work but on the other, it can lead 2 burnout n stress 
. i think the key is 2 set boundaries 4 urself & communicate them 2 others... like, u say ur outta office hours or dont wanna check emails outside work hours 
. its all about prioritizin ur self-care n makin time 4 relaxation 
. And it's not just the individual who suffers - companies are starting to realize that burnout is a major issue too 
It's time for us all to set some boundaries and prioritize our own well-being 
️ So, how do we communicate those boundaries to others? That's the million-dollar question.
We need some serious downtime to relax and recharge. I'm so tired of feeling guilty for checking my work emails or responding to messages outside of work hours... it's like, I'm not getting paid enough to be "on" all the time! 
I think it's time for us to reevaluate what it means to "clock out" from work. With the constant connectedness of tech, it's easy to feel like you're never really disconnected. Setting boundaries is key - not just leaving work at the office, but also mentally and emotionally.
, taking a walk outside 
, or even just people-watching 
.
. Whether that's exercise, spending time with loved ones, or just chilling out at home, it's all about creating a sense of separation between work and play 
.