Photo credit – Caio Triana via pexels.com

Do you get home from work still processing things that happened throughout the day? Is your sleep interrupted by moments of anxiety and concern about events at work? Here are ten suggestions to help you leave work where it belongs – at work!

Make separation deliberate
Separating work life and home life is an important thing to do, to maintain your sanity and longevity. Creating a space between the two is not difficult but requires a deliberate and regular practice.

Five ways to “let work go”
Here are some things to do before you leave work, so that you “close the loop” on the day, and leave things ready for a new day to follow. It takes about 15 minutes to complete them.

• Do one more small task before you leave
  End your day on a positive note of completion with the execution of one small task. It may be an email, a phone call or signing off on a document.
  How does it work?
  There is a sense of gratification in the completion of a task today that will not be on tomorrow’s list.

• Make a to-do list
  Make a list. Arrange it in order of importance. Check things off as completed.
  How does it work?
  List-making is one of the most effective skills for enhancing work performance and positively redirecting stress.
• Tidy your work area
  Organise and order your work area so you can start your next work day in an ordered way.
  How does it work?
  Studies show that returning to a cluttered desk or work station means returning to experience the frustrations and pressures felt the day before.
• Choose something to signal the end of the work day
  Engage in a ritual that signals the end of the work day. Perhaps it is a routine like the locking up or closing down process. Some choose a visual marker eg a homeward bound landmark.
  How does it work?
  Using a designated anchor enables you to shift your mental state to being ready for home. Making it a routine or ritual helps to embed the practice and associated change in mindset.
  
  
• Start the evening on a positive note
  When returning home, greet your nearest and dearest with positive comments. Frame your comments/questions in a positive way eg What was the best thing about your day?
  How does it work?
  Put the focus on another so you are not put in a position to talk about a stressful day – unless you want to.

Close the door on the day
These ideas all contribute to a psychological “closing of the door” on the workday. They help with shifting your mindset for a restful time at at home. Do you have your own ideas that you would share below?