What a WWII General Can Teach You About Leaving Work at 5

Clocking Out: Your brain never actually gets time to recover if your workday has no defined ending. That might not sound like such a big deal in theory, but it can actually become a health problem if you’re not careful. A joint WHO and ILO analysis found that working 55 or more hours a week is associated with a 35% higher risk of stroke and a 17% higher risk of dying from heart disease compared with working a standard week.

The Benefits: One useful role model here is General George Marshall. Even during World War II, he stopped work every day at 5 p.m. He got more done because he was mentally refreshed, and the predictable schedule reduced decision fatigue. His ability to stay calm and clear-headed in the immediate aftermath of Pearl Harbor is directly attributed to the reserves he had built up through being well-rested.

How To Do It: Marshall rode horses every evening to clear his head. While that’s not practical for most of us, you can still pick a hard stop time and do something that has nothing to do with work. Not only will it help you rest and reset — but it may even improve your performance when you’re back on the clock. And if you’re tempted to send one last email, know that every message you send out generates one back.