Description:
Working remotely from a home office, the lines between work and personal life get incredibly blurred. My laptop is always *right there*. What are some practical, effective strategies to mentally and physically ‘switch off’ from work mode and reclaim personal time in the evenings and on weekends?
13 Answers
Create an 'end of workday' ritual. This could be shutting down your computer completely (not just sleep mode), tidying your desk, changing your clothes, or going for a short walk to simulate a commute. The physical act helps signal to your brain that work is over. It sounds simple, but it really works for me. I literally say 'Goodbye office!' to my desk.
One thing that helps me is to have a distinct 'after work' scent. I'll light a specific candle or use a room spray that's different from anything I use during work hours. It's a small sensory cue but it helps create a shift in the atmosphere and my mindset.
- Anonymous: That’s such a clever idea! It’s amazing how little sensory cues can really spark a mental shift. I’ve found myself fumbling to “switch off” too—maybe adding something like a dedicated scent could finally help me draw that clear line between work and relaxation. Have you noticed any particular scents work best?
- Alex Davis: Thanks, glad you like the idea! For me, calming scents like lavender or eucalyptus work best—they’re relaxing but not overpowering. Sometimes I switch it up depending on my mood, but having a consistent “after work” scent really helps signal to my brain that it’s time to unwind. Give it a try and see what feels right for you!
Use different user profiles on your computer for work and personal use if you must use the same machine, or ideally, have separate devices. This helps create a digital separation. Also, different browser themes or desktop backgrounds for each mode can help. I find this surprisingly effective.
- Leon Nelson: Love the idea of browser themes for work vs. personal time—never thought aesthetics could impact productivity! But does this really help if your brain's still stuck on emails? How do you tackle that mental side?
- Jamie Walker: Hey Leon, glad you liked the browser themes tip! For the mental side, I find setting a strict "end-of-day" ritual helps—like closing all work apps and physically stepping away from the workspace. Sometimes a short walk or a quick non-work activity right after logging off signals your brain it's time to switch gears. It’s not perfect, but small habits like that make a difference over time.
Communicate your working hours clearly to your colleagues and stick to them. If they know you're offline after 6 PM, they'll be less likely to expect an immediate response. It’s also about managing others’ expectations, not just your own habits. This takes courage but is essential for long term WFH success.
the classic never-ending work laptop saga at home! Have you tried convincing your Wi-Fi router to take a coffee break? Just kidding, but seriously, what if you set up a "digital sunset" by scheduling your internet or work device to automatically disconnect at a certain time? It forces that hard stop no matter how much you want to sneak one last peek. It’s like telling your gadgets, -Enough, go outside and play! Do you think devices would rebel if this became a trend?
Try a 5-minute "work log" at the end of your day where you jot what you finished and the first task for tomorrow. It clears your head and stops you replaying emails. Then flip a physical switch like a desk lamp or smart plug to kill work vibes. Add a chill wind-down playlist and an out-of-hours auto-reply. Works imo 😊
So, funny story, I once told my manager I was offline and then answered a work Slack while brushing my teeth. I have a tiny home office that somehow turned into a 24 7 monster for months. One weekend I even had cereal crumbs in my keyboard and realized I had been on calls in my pajamas more often than not. That got embarrassing. Then I started experimenting with boundaries and some things actually stuck.
First set a hard stop ritual like closing the laptop, shutting the door, and moving the charger to another room so the computer feels physically out of reach. Next turn off non essential notifications, use a separate work profile or device, and set an automatic away status so teammates know you’re done. Pick a transition activity every day, a 10 minute walk, shower, or making tea, and schedule evening plans so you have something to protect. Block personal time on your calendar, communicate hours, and try one full offline day on weekends. Mix and match and tweak until it feels normal. Works for me.
- Anonymous: Turn off notifications and close office door
- Austin Carpenter: Great tips! Turning off notifications definitely helps me resist the urge to check work stuff after hours. Closing the door, if you have one, creates a nice visual cue that the workday is over. Small habits like those really make a difference.
What story do you want your day to tell when it ends? Try a small theatrical switch that is neither a list nor a gadget. Choose a wearable or object that marks the non work self, put it on or hold it as you verbalise one short sentence about what you finished and what you are letting go of until tomorrow. The repetition trains your brain to shift roles, and the object anchors the feeling. Which object could convincingly transform you from worker to person for the evening?
- Jayden Hart: Oh wow, I totally get that. One time I bought this fancy little charm bracelet, thinking it’d be my off switch. Turns out, covid made working from home so weird that I’d get tangled in my own routines. I’d put on or remove the bracelet, tell myself a short mantra about leaving work behind, and honestly, it helped me mentally shift gears. Sometimes, a simple object or ritual can be so powerful for marking that boundary. Do you have a favorite object for switching off?
- Anonymous: Hey, that charm bracelet idea sounds perfect—a tactile way to create that boundary. For me, it’s a simple wristwatch I take off at the end of the day. That little pause to remove it feels like hitting a reset button. It’s amazing how these small rituals help our brain switch gears without needing screens or lists. Glad to hear your mantra and bracelet routine works for you too!
Join the conversation and help others by sharing your insights.
Log in to your account or create a new one — it only takes a minute and gives you the ability to post answers, vote, and build your expert profile.
Similar Questions
-
How do I manage chronic migraine at work without losing momentum?
I get recurrent migraines that sometimes start during work hours and make it hard to think, tolerate screens, or participate in meetings. I want to maintain productivity and career growth while reducing sick days and stigma. What practical strategies work for preventing attacks at work (lighting, schedule, breaks, medication timing), managing an attack quickly when...
-
How do you deal with burnout when remote work never seems to end?
Remote work’s great for flexibility, but I am exhausted from always being “on.” There’s no commute to signal the end of the day, and work creeps into evenings. How do you prevent or recover from burnout?
-
How to encourage remote employees to take breaks/vacation?
How to genuinely encourage remote employees to take proper breaks throughout the day and actually use their vacation time to prevent burnout, especially when an ‘always on’ culture can easily creep in with WFH setups?
-
Why is disclosing chronic illness at work important for my career?
What are the benefits and risks of telling an employer about a chronic health condition, and how can someone do it in a way that protects both their health and career prospects? Please cover: when to disclose (during hiring vs after being hired), whom to tell (manager, HR, or occupational health), how much medical detail...
-
How can maintaining good health at home improve my remote work productivity?
In what ways can adopting healthy habits, such as regular exercise and balanced nutrition, influence my efficiency and focus while working remotely?
-
How can maintaining a healthy lifestyle contribute to better productivity while working remotely?
With the rise of remote work, many people struggle to balance their health with their professional responsibilities. What strategies can be implemented to ensure that physical and mental well-being is prioritized, ultimately leading to enhanced focus and productivity in a home office environment?
-
What are signs of cognitive decline from prolonged remote work?
What reasonable workplace adjustments, habits, or interventions (ergonomics, scheduled breaks, aerobic exercise, cognitive training, workload changes, documentation for accommodations) have evidence for preventing or reversing work-related cognitive decline?
-
Does remote work make burnout harder to spot in employees?
As a manager, I’m worried I’m missing signs of burnout in my remote team since we don’t have casual office chats. What clues should I look for, and how do you check in without being intrusive?
-
How can aligning work with your chronotype boost health and career?
I’m a remote/hybrid knowledge worker who suspects I’m a night owl (mornings feel awful; peak focus is later). What practical steps can I take to identify my chronotype, shift or align my schedule, and negotiate flexible hours with my manager or team without harming career progression? What evidence links chronotype alignment to better physical and...
-
Can remote work mess with your mental health over time?
I have been remote for 2 years, and I’m starting to feel isolated, even with video calls. It’s like I’m missing real human connection, and it’s affecting my mood. Does long-term remote work have mental health risks? How do you cope with the loneliness?