For decades, Marilyn Monroe famously said that "a career is wonderful, but you can't curl up with it on a cold night." Today, thanks to technology and hybrid remote working, this statement holds true more than ever. The lines between work and leisure time are becoming increasingly blurred, making it easier to get sucked into work-related tasks even outside of office hours.
Research by Business in the Community has revealed that nearly half of employees feel pressured to respond to calls or check emails during their free time, while over two-thirds experience high workloads that force them to put in overtime. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent among those who work from home, with 40% of Britons now splitting their time between office and home bases.
However, psychologists argue that the benefits of switching off from work are clear-cut. Detaching mentally and physically from job-related tasks during non-work hours is crucial for maintaining productivity, wellbeing, and avoiding burnout. According to Sabine Sonnentag, a leading expert in work psychology, "there's a recovery paradox at play: greater exposure to job stressors simultaneously calls for but prevents recovery."
To achieve this psychological detachment, individuals can establish daily routines that signal the end of their working day. Claire Ashley, author of The Burnout Doctor, recommends creating a consistent pre- and post-work ritual – whether it's exercise, listening to music, or engaging in a hobby – to help the mind disconnect from work-related thoughts.
Creating a physical separation between work and leisure time is also essential. For those who work from home, designating a dedicated workspace and closing it at the end of the day can be incredibly beneficial. Ashley notes that leaving work tasks unfinished can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and burnout, emphasizing the importance of planning ahead to avoid this.
Scheduling downtime into one's calendar, whether that means booking a fitness class or meeting up with friends, is also vital for maintaining balance. However, it's crucial to resist the temptation to check in with work during non-work hours – whether through email notifications or social media updates. A recent study by Manchester University found that workers who engaged with their employer's digital communications outside of working hours experienced poorer physical and psychological health.
Establishing clear boundaries between work and leisure time is key to avoiding burnout. Ashley believes that people often view this as a personal failing, but in reality, it's essential for maintaining relationships and recharging batteries. By setting limits and communicating them clearly to others, individuals can create a healthier balance between their professional and personal lives.
Interestingly, Sonnentag notes that simply reflecting positively on work during the evening – whether through positive thoughts about specific achievements or general job satisfaction – can have long-term benefits for wellbeing and affectivity. This highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy mindset outside of work hours.
Ultimately, achieving psychological detachment from work requires intentional effort but is essential for avoiding burnout, maintaining productivity, and enjoying life beyond the office walls.
Research by Business in the Community has revealed that nearly half of employees feel pressured to respond to calls or check emails during their free time, while over two-thirds experience high workloads that force them to put in overtime. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent among those who work from home, with 40% of Britons now splitting their time between office and home bases.
However, psychologists argue that the benefits of switching off from work are clear-cut. Detaching mentally and physically from job-related tasks during non-work hours is crucial for maintaining productivity, wellbeing, and avoiding burnout. According to Sabine Sonnentag, a leading expert in work psychology, "there's a recovery paradox at play: greater exposure to job stressors simultaneously calls for but prevents recovery."
To achieve this psychological detachment, individuals can establish daily routines that signal the end of their working day. Claire Ashley, author of The Burnout Doctor, recommends creating a consistent pre- and post-work ritual – whether it's exercise, listening to music, or engaging in a hobby – to help the mind disconnect from work-related thoughts.
Creating a physical separation between work and leisure time is also essential. For those who work from home, designating a dedicated workspace and closing it at the end of the day can be incredibly beneficial. Ashley notes that leaving work tasks unfinished can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and burnout, emphasizing the importance of planning ahead to avoid this.
Scheduling downtime into one's calendar, whether that means booking a fitness class or meeting up with friends, is also vital for maintaining balance. However, it's crucial to resist the temptation to check in with work during non-work hours – whether through email notifications or social media updates. A recent study by Manchester University found that workers who engaged with their employer's digital communications outside of working hours experienced poorer physical and psychological health.
Establishing clear boundaries between work and leisure time is key to avoiding burnout. Ashley believes that people often view this as a personal failing, but in reality, it's essential for maintaining relationships and recharging batteries. By setting limits and communicating them clearly to others, individuals can create a healthier balance between their professional and personal lives.
Interestingly, Sonnentag notes that simply reflecting positively on work during the evening – whether through positive thoughts about specific achievements or general job satisfaction – can have long-term benefits for wellbeing and affectivity. This highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy mindset outside of work hours.
Ultimately, achieving psychological detachment from work requires intentional effort but is essential for avoiding burnout, maintaining productivity, and enjoying life beyond the office walls.
. It's like, you can't even take a proper nap without having to respond to that one email 
. And yeah, I get it, work-life balance is key, but seriously, how hard is it to leave your laptop closed at the end of the day? 
.
I mean, who doesn't love a good Netflix binge or an online gaming session after a long day of work? But seriously, it's easy to get sucked into checking emails or taking calls even when you're supposed to be on break 
. It's like our minds are stuck in "work mode" 24/7. I've been there too - I remember one time I spent an entire weekend trying to catch up on work tasks because I felt so overwhelmed with my workload 
The whole thing about blurring lines between work and leisure time is so true. I mean, who hasn't gotten sucked into checking emails or responding to messages outside of work hours? 
It's like our brains are wired to be constantly "on." But the research shows that it can have serious consequences if we don't make an effort to switch off.
And it's not just about taking a break; it's about setting clear boundaries and communicating them to others.
And let's not forget to resist the temptation to check in with work - it's easy to get sucked into social media notifications, but trust me, it's a slippery slope!
By making a conscious effort to disconnect from work and prioritize our wellbeing, we can avoid burnout and live a healthier, happier life. 
! It's like we're constantly 'on' all the time, even when we're supposed to be chilling 
.
.
I mean, I've been guilty of checking in on work emails or taking work calls during my personal time... but it's like, nope! That's not okay 
. We need to learn to separate our work and personal lives, even when the lines get blurry 
.
. Who's with me? 
. it's easy to get sucked into the idea that we're always "on" but trust me, taking breaks and recharging is key to coming back stronger 
. It's like we can't truly disconnect from work even when we're supposed to be relaxing 
it's like, can't we just have a decent evening without checking emails or scrolling through social media? I mean, what even is the point of having a 'work-life balance' if we're still going to bleed into our personal time, anyway? 
like Claire Ashley says, create a pre- and post-work ritual that signals to your brain that it's time to switch off. And for those of us who work from home, designating a dedicated workspace (or in my case, just closing the laptop lid) can be a lifesaver 
or it'll be hard to separate work from life
don't get me wrong, work can be fulfilling but it's not meant to be an all-consuming part of your life
i try to book fitness classes or hangouts with friends at the same time every week so i know I have something to look forward to and can plan accordingly
Our brains can only handle so much stress and pressure before we snap, you feel? 
. Her whole "recovery paradox" thing is like, totally real. We need to learn how to disconnect from our jobs and just chill out for a bit 
.
. It's not selfish, it's necessary! 
i mean, im like "oh i'll just quickly respond to this one thing" but then its 3pm and im still stuck in work mode 
anyway im trying to be more strict about closing my laptop at night and doing something just for me instead like watching a funny vid or playing with my cat 
i think thats key to not burning out but idk if im doing it right 
. It's like our brains never disconnect, you know? But, in all seriousness, research says it's super bad for us if we don't set boundaries 
working hours are getting outta control! Everyone's expected to be always on, even when they're not technically at work. It's like, can't we just have a decent night in without our minds racing with work thoughts? 
. But let's be real, it's easy to get sucked into work-related tasks even after you've "clocked out" 
. The key is finding activities that signal to your brain that you're done working for the day. For some people, that might be exercise; for others, it could be reading a book or spending time with loved ones 
.
. It's crazy how easily we can get sucked into work-related tasks even when we're not technically working 
. I mean, I've caught myself checking emails during family movie nights 
... need to work on that!