How to disconnect from work? Learn to take care of yourself once and for all

Lifestyle

How to disconnect from work? Learn to take care of yourself once and for all

August 26 / 2020

Disconnecting from work is one of the most complicated tasks and thousands of  people have this big hurdle. At Cloudworks we show you some tricks that will be of  great help to you. 

If you want to get your work-life balance back on track, it’s important to find a way  to leave work behind after work hours are over. But how can you do that when your  boss texts you at 11 p.m., or you’re stressed about your tasks because people are  constantly emailing you? 

While it may seem impossible to disengage from work after leaving the office, it’s  important to fight the temptation to complete work at home, because your well being comes first. 

If a person does not learn to disconnect, it is very likely that they will burn out more  quickly. There is a mentality (increasingly present in Spanish professionals and  entrepreneurs) that work should be everyone’s number one priority at all times, and  that is simply not true. At Cloudworks we show you the keys so that you can  disconnect from work and learn to take care of yourself in every respect. 

Why is it important to disconnect from work? 

You might think that an ideal worker is one who is always constantly thinking about  their work, but the truth is that is not the case. In fact, bringing work home, either  literally or inside your head, can lead to excessive burnout. 

There are many reasons why this could be happening. You may have problems  with time management and your tasks may become part of your usual schedule; or  you may have pressure from your bosses to work overtime. 

The importance of disconnecting from work is that people who disengage from  their workload during their free time experience mental health benefits and end up being better employees. To be more productive, happy and healthier you  need to disconnect from work cognitively, emotionally and physically.

If you don’t, you run the risk of consequences. Not only is this bad for your  personal life, and can hurt you professionally, but it also has a severe impact on your  physical, mental, and emotional health. 

Psychological consequences 

Those who do not know how to disconnect the mind from work tend to suffer  the psychological consequences caused by overwork. Being aware of your work  responsibilities can be overwhelming, which is why you may be prone to anxiety  attacks, and even panic. 

That’s because of the stress load you subject your brain to, which in the long run can trigger more serious problems like depression or obsessive disorders. These  consequences put your physical health and also your personal relationships at risk. 

Physical consequences 

Workaholics often think that if they try hard, they will end up being more productive,  but in the long run they are not doing themselves any favours. The human brain  simply was not designed to work continuously without rest. You need to take regular breaks and maintain sustained periods where you’re not thinking about  your career to ensure that, when you’re at work, you’re being the best version of  your professional self. 

Among the physical consequences is the risk of developing burnout, which can  lead to reduced productivity and even wasted time at work. Muscle aches caused  by the tension to which your body is subjected, and even sleep problems that  weaken you in every way, including your immune system. 

Effective techniques to disconnect from work 

If during your working hours you repeat to yourself “I need to disconnect”, but you  do not know how, here are some effective techniques. Apply them to restore the  balance between your personal and professional life. 

Travel to new places 

We now spend up to 80% or more of our day on collaborative activities, such as  email, meetings, and calls. It doesn’t matter if you’re an introvert or an extrovert,  spending all day relating to other people is exhausting.

Although no one likes to feel isolated, we all need some alone time to properly recover from the workload. Traveling to new places by yourself can be  disconnecting and help you recharge. If you are not one of those who enjoy  traveling alone, you can do it with your loved ones; anything goes, the important  thing is to focus your mind on something new and enriching. 

Read books and watch movies you like 

There is nothing more effective in the struggle to disconnect from work than to do  something relaxing. Reading and watching movies do not require much physical  and mental effort, and for that reason they are the best allies to help you distract yourself from work and say goodbye to the exhaustion it causes you. 

Cultivate your hobbies 

It may seem like a counterproductive recommendation to put more effort into  cultivating your hobbies. However, engaging in activities you enjoy is essential to psychologically detach yourself from work

Hobbies not only help you feel rewarded, but they can also improve your productivity, concentration, and creativity when you return to work the next day. 

Spending time with your loved ones 

Support from your loved ones can minimize stressful situations at work and at home.  Spending quality time with your family and friends is part of taking charge of your well-being and doing what you can to stay healthy. Not only will it serve to distract  you, but you can also talk about work, your frustrations, and how it makes you feel. 

Practice sports 

Exercise releases endorphins, so it will help you feel happier and more energetic in  the long run. Team sports bring a great social element, but if you prefer to work out  alone, make sure you’re accompanied by a good playlist. These  combined elements help clear your mind and keep you disconnected from work. 

Disconnect from your mobile and social networks 

Take advantage of the “Do Not Disturb” option on your mobile. This is one of the best techniques to take your mind off work because it will help you ignore all the  email or social media notifications that keep you from clearing your mind.

Things to avoid 

If you do not want to become a workaholic and suffer from all the negative effects  we have mentioned, it is important that you avoid the following behaviours. Find  out below what not to do if you want to know how to disconnect from work when  you get home. 

Neglect your diet 

Ingesting the necessary nutrients is important to be able to complete all your tasks  effectively. If you neglect your diet, you will not only feel weaker, but you will also be more prone to the physical consequences of overwork. 

Work late 

Contrary to what you may think, being too committed to your work is not all good,  especially for long periods of time. Although saying “yes” to an extra job is usually  a good move for your career, taking on more than you can handle can be detrimental to your work-life balance. If you realize that you bring your work  home every night, or that you stay up until the wee hours, it’s time to rethink your  work methodology. 

Neglect your circle of relationships 

People who fail to disconnect from work make the serious mistake of neglecting  their personal relationships. This has a direct effect on your emotional and psychological state, negatively affecting your quality of life. 

Not having time for you 

You don’t have to sit in a lotus flower pose and chant “ohm” to meditate, but you need to devote at least an hour a day to this activity to calm your mind. Some  people find formal meditation a great way to channel their stress energy, and  transform it into positivity and calm. If you want to try meditation, try searching the  free podcasts. There are many out there. 

Leave labor disputes open 

Always try not to take home anything that is related to work; that includes  conflicts you may have with your colleagues or bosses. The negative emotional  burden that remains from unresolved conflicts can affect your ability to disconnect  from work. Solve all your pending business so that you live more peacefully.At Cloudworks we always offer you the best tips so that you give your best but,  above all, so that you achieve a physical and emotional balance that has worked  wonders for us. We recommend our blog to keep you abreast of all the news!

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