1. Strictly set your working time
Create a specific schedule for each working day when you will not be working and when you are available for colleagues and fulfilling work duties. Agree with your supervisor on terms that will support your productivity. Without a proper system, you will lack the strong will to answer e-mails and messages in chat or phone calls.
If you have interesting thoughts during your free non-working hours, always have a notebook or mobile phone on hand where you can record them and return to them later. Over time, this mode will become automatic, allowing you effectively to balance work and personal time.
2. Create a ritual for after work
In addition to setting specific times you may want to create a ritual that signals business hours have just finished. This might be a set beep on a mobile device or the utterance of a special phrase that you learn to say to yourself. These are psychological anchors that, if used regularly, will really help you mentally to detach yourself from work.
3. Switch to another device
Once you have finished work, put away your work tools even if, for example, you would like to read the news on the Internet. Instead, replace your work laptop with a cell phone or tablet.
4. Go out
Research shows that we draw the most energy from the kind of break that forces us to change our environment for the outdoors. If you have a pet, or maybe like running, use your free time at least once a day to spend it outside. You will very quickly discover how your stress levels are reduced and your mind is relaxed.
Working from home could make it too easy for work to become your life. Deliberate disconnection, on the other hand, may be the most productive thing you can do for yourself.
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