Truly Unplugging From Work

It’s a funny word, ‘unplug’! It makes us sound like machines. We are clearly not that. Now you are wondering what to do after you have left work. Here are some ways I unplug when I leave from work. Oh, how joyful unplugging from work feels like!

The joy in unplugging from work

It would be great if your commute was not a hassle but that is rarely the case. After you leave from work, your stress follows you until you reach home. When you reach, you have plenty of time to spare. One of the ways I de-stress and turn off the work part of my brain is through hand embroidery. Having a hobby that you are really passionate about can do wonders to your mental health. It is also important that you try to rejuvenate your brain cells with a relaxing exercise. You do not want to take the stress backlog to your next day.

(Suggested Read: Importance of Hobbies in Your Career)

Before you go to sleep, read a book and do not bother your mind with any non-critical emails. It is important to set boundaries for your coworkers. If you are someone who proactively replies every time your phone dings, your co-workers might think you are just a message away and take you for granted.

I personally find embroidery as relaxing as mindful meditation. Your hands would also thank you as they can now take a break from just typing and texting. I picked up embroidery at the beginning of this year. It started as a bonding exercise between my mother and I. I soon fell in love with it. I love embroidery as an alternative to mindful meditation and I challenge my energy to repetitive motions of stitching.

As you reach home, get into comfortable clothes so you can begin to relax. Lounge on your couch before you start doing any chores. While away the time, let your mind wander. Sometimes it is just best to not do anything. Once you have regained some energy, invest the energy into a task that is more meditative. Cook a meal for yourself. It starts to get exhausting when you have to think about what you are going to eat for every meal. It is better to plan your meals in advance then you would not have to think about the trivial stuff in your life.

You have now had a nice delicious meal and it is time to go to bed. It is also important to have a bedtime routine. I read a chapter of a book before my sleep. Read a relaxing short story or a novel. Not a thriller or The Brothers Karamazov that puts you into deep thought. Take my word for it, I did that once and I had a sleepless night. Once you have started your bedtime routine and beginning to sleep, make sure you have nothing to distract you. You do not have to compulsively check your phone every time it dings. Sheryl Sandberg turns off her phone when she goes to sleep. You also do not have to one-up your co-workers by replying to the boss’s message promptly.

These are some realistic ways you can adopt to start unplugging from your work. It is important that you take some time out for yourself. Creating a routine outside of work and doing the same tasks over and over can bring some discipline to your work-life balance. This discipline brings you freedom, and bringing that same attitude to work can improve your efficiency.

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(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Energy Dais.)