We’ve all been there—the clock hits 5pm, you’re physically out of the office, but your mind is still racing with emails to send, tasks to finish, and meetings to prep for.

It’s like you’re on autopilot, still stuck in work mode even when you’re meant to be unwinding.

As the founder of Hack Spirit, I’ve struggled with this too. Shutting off after a long workday isn’t as simple as just walking out the door, and I’ve had my fair share of challenges in truly disconnecting.

So, what’s the secret to finally logging off and leaving work behind?

The answer lies in letting go of certain habits.

In this article, I’m sharing eight behaviors you need to drop if you want to disconnect from work effectively and reclaim your personal time. 

1) Disconnecting physically but not mentally

First things first. You’ve packed up your stuff, said your goodbyes and physically left the office.

But the question is, have you mentally clocked out?

Often, we leave the office but bring work home with us. We continue to mull over those unfinished tasks, unanswered emails and tomorrow’s presentation.

This is a behavior deeply ingrained in many of us, especially in today’s digital age where work is literally at our fingertips.

But here’s the deal: mental disconnection is just as important as physical disconnection. In fact, it’s even more crucial.

Without letting your mind switch off from work mode, you’re essentially extending your workday into your personal time.

2) Constantly checking your emails

Let me share a personal story with you.

A couple of years back, I found myself habitually checking my work emails, even after office hours.

It was like a reflex, every time my phone buzzed, I’d instantly reach out to check if it was a work-related email.

One day, I realized that this behavior was eating into my personal time and causing unnecessary stress. So, I decided to make a change.

I set specific hours during which I would check emails and strictly made sure not to open the mailbox outside of these hours.

And guess what?

It worked wonders for me. My stress levels dropped, and I began to enjoy my evenings without the looming presence of work.

3) Blurring the line between work and personal time

The third behavior that you need to bid farewell to is the habit of mixing work and personal time.

It’s a sneaky habit, one that creeps in unnoticed. One minute you’re enjoying a quiet dinner with your family, and the next, you’re thinking about that budget report due next week.

In my book, “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego”, I delve into the importance of mindfulness and living in the present moment.

This principle applies perfectly to distinguishing between work and personal time.

When you’re at work, be fully present at work. And when you’re off duty, be 100% off duty.

Enjoy your leisure activities, engage with your loved ones, or simply relax without carrying the burden of work on your shoulders.

A well-rested mind is more productive than a burnt-out one. As I often say in my book, “A clear divide between work and personal time is not just beneficial — it’s essential for a balanced life.”

4) Lack of a post-work wind-down routine

Psychology has a lot to say about the importance of routines. They:

• Give structure to our lives
• Help us manage our time effectivel
• Improve our mental health

This is equally true for a post-work wind-down routine.

A wind-down routine is essentially a set of relaxing activities that signal to your brain that it’s time to shift gears from work mode to relaxation mode.

This might involve:

• Taking a walk
• Meditating
• Reading a book
• Enjoying a cup of tea

The key is consistency. Doing the same activities at the same time every day will train your brain to associate these activities with relaxation and disconnection from work.

By consistently following a wind-down routine and experiencing the benefits, you’re more likely to make it a regular part of your life.

5) Trying too hard to disconnect

Now, this might seem counterintuitive. After all, aren’t we trying to disconnect from work?

Yes, but there’s a difference between actively disconnecting and obsessing over it.

When you’re constantly worrying about disconnecting from work, it becomes a stressor in itself.

Instead of helping you unwind, it keeps you mentally tied to work. It’s like trying not to think about a pink elephant – the more you try, the more it stays on your mind.

The solution is to let go.

Do things that naturally help you unwind and shift your focus away from work.

Engage in activities that you enjoy and that relax you, without the pressure of having to disconnect.

6) Overloading your schedule

This is a common mistake many of us make – cramming our schedule with back-to-back tasks, meetings, and projects.

While it might seem like we’re being productive, overloading our schedule leaves us with little to no time to disconnect and unwind from work.

It’s essential to leave some breathing space in your schedule. This allows you to take short breaks, decompress, and transition smoothly from work mode to relaxation mode.

So, do yourself a favor and manage your time wisely, leaving room for both work and rest.

7) Not setting clear boundaries

Boundaries are crucial in every aspect of our lives, and work is no exception.

It’s easy to let work spill over into personal time when there are no clear boundaries in place.

Setting work-life boundaries can be as simple as:

• Designating a specific workspace at home
• Turning off email notifications after a certain hour
• Communicating to colleagues that you won’t be available for work-related discussions after office hours

Without these boundaries, it’s all too easy to find work creeping into every corner of your life.

And trust me, the constant intrusion of work-related thoughts and tasks can quickly rob you of your peace of mind.

So, define your boundaries well and guard your precious personal time from the encroachments of work.

8) Neglecting self-care

The last behavior on our list is perhaps the most critical one – neglecting self-care.

After a long day at work, it’s essential to take some time to replenish and rejuvenate your mind and body.

This could be through:

• A nutritious meal
• A relaxing bath
• Some light exercise
• Getting a good night’s sleep

Self-care practices help you manage stress, unwind from the day’s stress, and prepare for the next day.

Remember, your ability to disconnect from work and enjoy your personal time is directly linked to your well-being. So make sure you’re taking good care of yourself, even after a busy day at work.

Final thoughts: It’s all about balance

Striking a balance between work and personal life is an art that requires mindfulness, discipline, and sometimes, a little bit of readjusting of our habits.

Saying goodbye to these eight behaviors we’ve discussed is the first step towards achieving that balance.

Each one of them is an integral piece of the puzzle, and together, they paint a holistic picture of a well-balanced life.

In my book “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego”, I delve deeper into the art of balance. I discuss how to live with purpose while keeping the ego in check, and how to achieve maximum impact in every aspect of your life.