Remember how it felt on the last day of school when you were a kid? Those feelings of absolute freedom, excitement, and downright ease? While many adults still enjoy the laid-back vibes of summer vacation, it’s certainly not the same as when we were kids. Instead of feeling ease and freedom on a vacation from work, many Americans feel the mounting pressure to always be available and on the job – no matter what. For some, it’s the fear that their job won’t be there when they return. For others, it’s the stress and expectations imposed by their superiors – some of whom seem to never take a break themselves. But for many, it’s the simple fact that smartphones, laptops, and an abundance of WiFi make it too easy to stay connected to the very grind that they so desperately need to disconnect from.
While the work/life balance struggle has been around for years, in the wake of more and more people embracing a hybrid and remote at-home work environment, the struggle has risen to a whole new level. The distinction between “office” and “home” has become blurred, while the designated work hours have morphed from a traditional “9-5” format to more of a flex schedule that has many feeling “on call” at all hours.
Don’t get us wrong. There are still many advantages to a remote and hybrid work schedule. Less commuting time and money, more time spent with family and friends, and the opportunity to schedule more “life tasks” during work hours, thanks to the possibility of flexible scheduling.
However, with all of the advantages, we’d be remiss if we didn’t draw attention to one of the major drawbacks of hybrid work: the struggle to truly unplug and disconnect during your valuable time off.
The benefits of unplugging.
To some, the practice of “unplugging” may seem like checking out, but the truth is it can be the best way to make yourself more productive and present while at work and at home.
- Reduces Stress
Some may view answering work emails before bed or from the sideline of a youth soccer match as harmless multitasking. But the truth is, your multitasking efforts could be adding more stress to your day. Feeling on call 24/7 makes it impossible for one to truly feel present in the moment. Plus, if you’re always worried about when you’ll get to respond to that last email or schedule that next meeting, you’re not allowing yourself a true (and much-needed) rest from an already busy day. Allow yourself time at the end of the workday to decompress, rest, and recharge so you can return refreshed and with a clear mind for all of your important tasks. - Improves Sleep
It’s no secret that stress/anxiety and insomnia go hand in hand. During times of high stress, we sleep less and, as a result of sleeping less, we increase our stress and anxiety levels because we underperform and feel overwhelmed. Do yourself (and others) a favor and make better sleep a priority in your life. Commit to not checking work emails or text messages for two hours before bed. Change your morning ritual and go for a jog or walk first thing instead of checking email as soon as your alarm goes off. Not only will the shift in perspective help your anxiety levels, but the extra movement will also make you sleep better, too. - Increases Productivity
Stepping back from non-stop work can diminish burnout and improve your mood. It makes room for opportunities for creativity and newfound excitement in your role at work. Plus, having more time to yourself during the work week allows for more focused attention to pressing tasks and important deadlines when they do come up.
Prioritize downtime as part of the company culture.
Of course, we all know on some level that unplugging is good for our overall well-being. And yet, it can still be so hard to do. That’s why it’s important for business leaders to make it a part of the company culture – and thus your brand. It’s important to show employees, clients, and potential hires that not only is personal time allowed, but it’s also encouraged.
Yes, deadlines still need to be met. But implementing simple steps to help your staff keep their personal time and work time separate will benefit your team and your business. If you haven’t already, summer is a great time to introduce some changes and see what works best for your business. A few ideas we love are:
- Early Day Friday
Offer employees the opportunity to end their Friday work day a few hours early. If you can’t let the whole office close early one day a week try an alternating schedule instead. Employees will value the extra time off built into their week and will most likely be more productive to ensure everything is handled by Friday. Fri-yay! - Flexible Scheduling
Kids are home from school and vacation plans are still in flux. Offer more flexible schedule opportunities throughout the week to let people take time off during the day and do their work when it’s convenient for them. Set key communication hours in the morning, for example, where team check-ins can occur. Then allow flexibility beyond that. - Mandatory Vacation
Some companies have mandatory shutdown days (or weeks) to ensure all employees have time for self-care. When you give your whole team the same day off, then nobody is accidentally getting notifications about a meeting they’re not supposed to be in.
Tips for unplugging.
Of course, the responsibility to practice self-care and “unplug” and disconnect is ultimately on you at the end of the day. So how can you truly “get away” and disconnect from the grind of work life when the desire to “check in” with the office is a constant nagging thought? Here are a few tips from team insight180 on how to unplug from work:
- Andrea
“Put your phone away and on silent when you walk through the door. Laugh and chat with your family or friends and spend the evening enjoying each other’s company instead of looking at phones.”
- Bethany
“Get out and get some fresh air. Get your body moving. Exercise is a great way to reset and refocus your mind.”
- Elizabeth
“Spend time in your garden. Whether you have a garden plot or containers on a deck, nurturing your plants through their growing season is a mood booster. Plus, fresh fruits and vegetables are tasty and healthy treats!”
- Joann
“Put an ‘Out of Office’ automatic response on your email, turn off any notifications, and swap out your phone for a good book. And, if your colleagues can see your office calendar, schedule ‘Away’ time every day to make sure you get a break.”
- Wendy
“The occasional long lunch, or walks on beautiful days is one of my personal favorites. At insight180 we often have quick meetings or brainstorms outside in Old Ellicott City while walking together to pick up lunch or just stroll around town. And if you need an excuse to get out and move every day, get a dog! They’ll keep you going and boost your mood whenever they’re around.”
What’s your favorite way to unplug?
