This weekend marks the National Day of Unplugging, an annual holiday that brings awareness to the adverse effects of constant connectivity. As our work environment is becoming more digitally connected, the lines of work-life balance are beginning to blur. In a climate with many of us still working remotely, it can be hard to disengage from the steady stream of pings, emails and messages flowing in at all hours. However, being constantly dialed in to our work can lead to burnout, fatigue and chronic stress.
A 24/7 Work Culture
In a survey conducted by SHRM, 88% of respondents said they still take calls and send emails after hours. Nearly three quarters stated they felt obligated to be available past their normal working hours. While email, instant messaging, and video software have helped to keep us all engaged, it’s made it more difficult to disconnect at the end of a work day. Even during those times when we do manage to disconnect, there is a phenomena known as “attention residue” which brings our thoughts back to work tasks.
Separating work from personal life has become an even bigger challenge for those working remotely. An end to the work day might simply mean shifting from your office chair to your couch. While few people actually enjoy a commute, it does allow us to decompress after a work day and enables us to compartmentalize our work and personal spaces. Without a separation of space and with our work and personal devices many times being intertwined, it can be difficult to fully disconnect.
Making the Case for Unplugging
Even if you’re not intentionally working, answering a quick email and allowing your thoughts to linger on work-related issues in the evening or over a weekend can lead to an increase in anxiety. Eventually, being too plugged in can lead to chronic stress and burnout within your job, which can reduce your productivity and performance overall.
Studies have shown that by limiting your access to after-hours communication, you can improve sleep, reduce anxiety, and have better focus during your workday.
Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference
If you’re looking for ways to limit your connectivity, the below adjustments to your existing routine could be helpful to you:
- If working from home, have a dedicated space to work in, and don’t revisit outside of working hours
- Silence work notifications on your phone during non-working hours
- Practice Yoga, meditation, or exercise to help your mind disconnect
- Create a routine at the end of your workday to signify a shift from work to personal time (i.e. Watch an episode of a favorite show, cue up a relaxing playlist, work on a favorite hobby)
In Europe we’re already seeing efforts to limit a company’s ability to encroach upon their employees’ personal time. Legislation such as “right to disconnect” are going into effect, however here in the US, similar proposals have not gained traction at a company or national level. While some companies are implementing policies to limit after-work communications, it may be awhile until we see this type of legislation on a larger scale. In the meantime, we encourage you to set boundaries and make small changes to protect your mental wellness.
About Congruence Talent Solutions
Our team of experts offer decades of experience and knowledge to connect high-caliber candidates with strategic opportunities for career advancement within our corporate partner firms.
At Congruence Talent Solutions, we know that trust and discretion are of the utmost importance, and have a deep and abiding commitment to protect your privacy throughout the placement process, whether direct or contract.
Click here to learn more about career opportunities with Congruence Talent Solutions.