Work-life boundaries and the line between work and personal life continue to blur as connection is prioritized. With smartphones buzzing around the clock, it can feel like work is inescapable at times. Especially with the rise of work-from-home accessibility, your work and life may be physically intertwined. The grind of hustle culture and the demand for personal well-being can put you in this push-and-pull battle, never fully satisfied. As a counselor, I help my Clients gain perspective and insight into their internal and external pressures to increase self-awareness, minimize stress, and enhance well-being.
4 Essential tasks:
- Wind Down
- Create a routine before you finish work for the day. Similar to how you start the day with a checklist of checking the schedule, opening up emails, and brewing a pot of coffee. Your exit routine deserves the same amount of attention. Perhaps you turn all work-related notifications off on your iPhone, make a new to-do list for tomorrow, or pick up your office. Make a “closing to do” to tidy up loose ends before wrapping up for the day.
- Set an Intention
- Choose and determine a micro-moment to signal to your brain that work is over. It can feel hard to escape the work world when your brain goes a mile a minute. Therefore, making a conscious decision to end work is crucial, paired with a physical action to signify its closure. I find it particularly meaningful to place my keys in a dish by the door and mindfully think work is over and stops right here as I drop them in. This forces me to have a firm moment of intentionality to remember each day. Plus, the meaningful activity enhances my chance of following through. Whatever you decide, make it motivating and reasonable to create a habit.
- Change Environments
- You must change environments to enhance cognitive functioning to distinguish between work and home life. Your brain may start to blend work and life automatically if there isnt a physical switch difference. For instance, if you work at home, make a separate “work area”, this can be an office, side of the dining table, or corner of the house. Meaning when you enter this zone your brain can switch gears. Likewise, if you go into the office in person, change your clothes or play your favorite music when you get home. Make the space and feeling around you different than the workday. I help my Clients find customizable solutions to aid cognitive functioning and make the work-to-home transition with ease.
- Modify Behaviors
- Enriching your life outside of work is essential for your overall well-being. Take a moment to reflect on your post-work routine. What’s first? Where is most of your time spent? What makes you feel energized? Do an audit on your behavior outside of your 9-5. Choose an activity you can implement into your daily routine and allow yourself to indulge in that role. It would be preferable if it doubled as a way to recharge mindfully. Walking in nature, joining a cooking class, or gardening may allow your mind to wander and diversify your weekday routine.
All things considered, shifting gears at the end of the workday involves creating a routine to tie up loose ends, setting a clear intention, changing environments, and modifying behaviors to prioritize activities that promote overall well-being. Implementing these strategies may cultivate a healthier lifestyle work balance, and reset to make every day uniquely fulfilling. Ultimately, it is up to take action and gain your sense of peace back. How will you spend your 5-9? To make an appointment with Kennedy go to here.