Blurring the lines between work and leisure has become increasingly common with the rise of remote and hybrid working. However, research by Business in the Community (BITC) reveals that 55% of employees feel pressured to respond to calls or check emails outside work hours, while two-thirds of workers report working overtime due to high workloads.
For many, switching off from work is no longer as straightforward as it once was. The pressure to be constantly connected and available can lead to burnout, with one in five people remaining at high risk despite the pandemic's end. According to Claire Ashley, a former GP and author of "The Burnout Doctor," setting boundaries between work and leisure time is crucial for maintaining mental health.
Ashley recommends establishing a daily ritual or routine that signals the end of the working day, such as exercise, reading, or spending time with friends and family. The key is to create a clear distinction between work and personal life, which can be particularly challenging when the lines are blurred due to remote working.
Sabine Sonnentag, a professor of work and organisational psychology, believes that what we do during our leisure activities matters more than the activity itself in terms of its recovery benefits. "We need physical, as well as mental, separation," she says. This means avoiding work-related tasks and electronic devices outside working hours.
Research by the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University found that engaging with work email during leisure time was associated with poorer physical and psychological health. Instead, establishing a 'digital detox' or using apps to limit notifications can help create space for relaxation and recovery.
Ashley notes that many people mistakenly view work as an energy-sapping stress, rather than something they love doing. She argues that having boundaries between work and leisure time is essential, even if the job itself is enjoyable. "Everyone needs downtime," she says.
The Dramma model, which stands for detachment, relaxation, autonomy, mastery, meaning, and affiliation, provides a framework for understanding the recovery experiences that are crucial for maintaining wellbeing. According to Sonnentag, these experiences can be achieved through activities such as exercise, spending time with loved ones, or engaging in hobbies.
Ultimately, setting boundaries between work and leisure time is not just about personal preference but also about being proactive in managing work-related stress and burnout. By establishing clear limits, prioritising self-care, and making conscious choices about how we spend our time, individuals can create a healthier balance between their professional and personal lives.
For many, switching off from work is no longer as straightforward as it once was. The pressure to be constantly connected and available can lead to burnout, with one in five people remaining at high risk despite the pandemic's end. According to Claire Ashley, a former GP and author of "The Burnout Doctor," setting boundaries between work and leisure time is crucial for maintaining mental health.
Ashley recommends establishing a daily ritual or routine that signals the end of the working day, such as exercise, reading, or spending time with friends and family. The key is to create a clear distinction between work and personal life, which can be particularly challenging when the lines are blurred due to remote working.
Sabine Sonnentag, a professor of work and organisational psychology, believes that what we do during our leisure activities matters more than the activity itself in terms of its recovery benefits. "We need physical, as well as mental, separation," she says. This means avoiding work-related tasks and electronic devices outside working hours.
Research by the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University found that engaging with work email during leisure time was associated with poorer physical and psychological health. Instead, establishing a 'digital detox' or using apps to limit notifications can help create space for relaxation and recovery.
Ashley notes that many people mistakenly view work as an energy-sapping stress, rather than something they love doing. She argues that having boundaries between work and leisure time is essential, even if the job itself is enjoyable. "Everyone needs downtime," she says.
The Dramma model, which stands for detachment, relaxation, autonomy, mastery, meaning, and affiliation, provides a framework for understanding the recovery experiences that are crucial for maintaining wellbeing. According to Sonnentag, these experiences can be achieved through activities such as exercise, spending time with loved ones, or engaging in hobbies.
Ultimately, setting boundaries between work and leisure time is not just about personal preference but also about being proactive in managing work-related stress and burnout. By establishing clear limits, prioritising self-care, and making conscious choices about how we spend our time, individuals can create a healthier balance between their professional and personal lives.
! Anyway, back to work-life balance... I think it's so important to create a routine that signals the end of the workday, you know? Like, do something completely unrelated to work, like cooking or practicing yoga. That way, your brain can actually relax and not be thinking about work stuff all the time 
. And yeah, I agree with Sabine Sonnentag, it's not just about the activity itself, but also being free from work-related tasks and devices during leisure time... that's when we should be recharging our mental batteries! 
I'm so over this whole blurred lines thing. Everyone's always connected, and it's just not healthy. I mean, I get it, work-life balance is key, but what's the point of even having a 'digital detox' if you can just check your email on your phone? 
It's like, take some real steps to disconnect, not just pretend to.
work-life balance is basically non existent anymore with remote working 
the pressure to be constantly on is mental 
55% of employees feel pressured to respond to calls outside work hours 
gotta have a daily ritual that signals the end of work life like exercise or reading 
and avoiding work related tasks during leisure time 
research says engaging with work email during leisure time is bad for ur physical & mental health 
need to create space for relaxation & recovery 
. But Ashley makes some great points - setting boundaries is key. My wife is always telling me to put down the phone during dinner, and it's hard at first, but she's right. We need that separation between work and personal life. It's all about finding what works for you and making a conscious effort to prioritize your mental health 
It's like, we get it, work is demanding, but can't we just switch off a bit more easily? 
I think setting boundaries is key. We need those clear distinctions between work and leisure time 
Establishing daily rituals that signal the end of the day is a must! For me, it's about prioritizing self-care, whether that's exercise 
or spending quality time with loved ones 
What do you guys think? Should we be embracing digital detoxes or finding ways to relax during work hours? 
. the thing is, our brains need space to recover from all the constant connectivity and stress 
. we gotta make time for relaxation and self-care, even if it's just a few minutes each day 
i try to disconnect from everything after 5 pm but it feels like everyone expects me to respond ASAP. i wish companies would let people have some real downtime, not just a digital detox... 
i feel like with remote working its getting easier to get sucked into work 24/7 & thats literally toxic for ur mental health 
It's time for us to set some boundaries and prioritize self-care, like setting a daily ritual or routine that signals the end of work mode 
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. We need to make conscious choices about how we spend our time and prioritize self-care.
people need to take a break from all the work emails and notifications outside of work hours, it's like their brain is still on work mode and it's super draining 
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. And don't even get me started on digital detoxes - it's not about cutting off social media entirely, it's about knowing when to take a break and actually unplug 
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. We need to create a healthier balance and learn to prioritize our own needs, rather than just going along with the status quo 
️. It's crazy how much pressure there is to be constantly available.
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. I feel like I need to "check in" on my job all the time, even if I'm supposed to be relaxing or spending time with family 
. Maybe taking a digital detox or finding activities that bring me joy is the way to go... anyone have any tips? 