We all love our jobs. They fuel us. We find value in our work.
The challenge comes when work seems to take over our lives. This 24/7 connectedness can be toxic to a happy life. So, to continue enjoying our jobs and our careers, it is very important to detach from them periodically.
It has been shown that detachment from work is healthy, and one of the ways that allows us to thrive under stressful conditions at work. So, how do we detach?
Refocus
Many strategies seem to work. Those that involve refocusing on something else can be some of the best ways.
- Hobbies: Adopt a hobby that allows your mind to completely detach from the stressors at work. This can be very useful in switching your focus. As an example, if you like to paint, once you start that painting, your focus on completing it and enjoying the process can be an excellent way to detach.
- Learn new things: sometimes focusing on learning something new can be a great way to detach. As an example, if you always wanted to learn to speak French, attending classes or listening to audios can be a great source of taking your focus off of work.
- Exercise: Most of us lament that we don’t exercise more… Building exercise into your weekly routine actually forces you to detach from thoughts about work. Working out at the gym, taking a swim, or going for a run shifts your focus quickly and effectively.
- Read for pleasure: Take a break from reality and get into that novel you’ve been wanting to read…
Technological Detachment
Another strategy that we can’t miss is that of detaching from all your electronica. Being able to be connected to the office via your PDA or cell phone has inherent dangers of total attachment. Turning off the computer, cell phone, iPad is an effective (and probably necessary) way to detach.
Set Boundaries
Detaching from work involves setting boundaries between work and other aspects of your life. As an example, when you walk in the door to your home, one of your boundaries might be that you turn your cell phone off for the first hour you are in your home. Another might be that you don’t check your email within one hour of going to bed. And another might be that you leave your PDA in the locker or in the car when exercising or having a social meeting.
Setting boundaries is a great strategy, and even more important is sharing those boundaries with the people who will be impacted most. By communicating your boundaries, most people will honor and respect them, and essentially help you remain detached.
Just DO it!
Sometimes, detaching is just the act of doing it. Deciding to detach. Taking control. Be proactive and shut it down, even just for a little while!
