How To Switch Off After Work

Give Me a Break: Even if they’re technically off the clock, lots of people still feel pressure to be “on” after the workday ends: checking email, responding to Slack messages, working on weekends. Clocking out can be particularly tricky for the more than 35 million Americans who work remotely, for whom work is home and home is work. Constantly being in work mode, though, can take a toll on our health. 

Why It Matters: Calling it quits at the end of the day can prevent the physical and emotional symptoms of overworking, like fatigue, sleep problems, strained relationships, weakened immune function, cognitive impairment, and increased risk of injury or accident. Plus, a phenomenon called the “recovery paradox” shows psychologically detaching from work can actually make us more productive when we are working.

How To Do It: The trick is to create a repeatable routine for yourself at the end of your day. Here’s what the experts suggest: Before you leave, make a to-do list for the next day to prevent worrying about tomorrow’s tasks later. Tidy your desk, and close your office door (if you have one). Create a post-work ritual to decompress and signal your brain that work is over, like hitting the gym or meeting friends. And, for the love of all that’s good, mute work-related notifications after hours.