Burnout is real. It’s tempting to stay online long after your scheduled work hours. Checking emails, returning phone calls, and making appointments are all temptations that keep you plugged in at the office. Let’s take a look at 6 reasons why it is important to disconnect!
1. Honoring our lives outside of work
Employees are also people, and people have lives beyond the office. If you establish regular hours for things you love to do, you will feel better working. Hobbies and personal interests broaden a person’s area of knowledge that can later be applied to a job. People with well-balanced lives feel better at work because their lives are in harmony.
2. Reconnecting with friends and family
Relationships are the foundation of any industry. Networking, connecting, and interacting are how companies grow and stay vital. It is important to promote and practice these interconnections within our family units and friendships. When healthy relationships are a priority outside of work, we naturally bring that creative attitude everywhere we go, including into our employment. People who are connected in their personal lives make community in the workplace important.
3. Feeling good when you are at work
Taking time away from screens and devices is shown to affect mental health positively. By disconnecting from electronics we can enjoy improved sleep and enhanced posture, both factors contributing towards a better work experience. Even reducing our use of technology by a few hours a day can have increased health benefits.
4. Rest and relaxation
Doing nothing can be a real challenge in today’s fast-paced world. Sitting down and being still can be quite a task. There are benefits to simply stopping and allowing yourself to breathe. In addition to meditative contemplation, try out a hot bath or a cup of herbal tea to put you in that sleepy-time mood.
5. Exercise releases hormones
Physical activity releases hormones that elevate mood and create a sense of calm. The workplace can be stressful, and stretching, walking, or running are all ways to release some pressure. Try out a sunny walk around the block for the added bonus of Vitamin D.
6. Increasing your efficiency at the office
Employees who are allowed breaks and time to pursue outside interests are more productive at work. Taking time away allows one to be more focused when it’s time to take care of business.
As we can see, there are many benefits to stepping away from work and focusing energy on ourselves. Try one or all of these suggestions as we restore our energetic creativity and prepare for a new day of productivity.