How to leave your work at work and enjoy your free time

How to leave your work at work and enjoy your free timeHow to leave your work at work and enjoy your free timeWorkaholism is a pernicious thing. It creeps into your personal life, saps your creativity and can make you downright grumpy.But in a world of 24-7 smartphone access, even if youre not actually doing work while youre at home, you might need a reminder on how to switch off your work brain and focus on the fun youre having outside of work instead of thinking about the challenges that might be awaiting you back at the office.Keep yourself busyInstead of sitting at home and worrying about what will happen when you get back to work, plan things in your downtime that you really enjoy.For example, rather than fixating on your negative goals, or actions you will no longer take, its better to set positive goals about what you will do, and get started on something proactive, Art Markman, a professor of psychology and marketing at the University of Texas at Austin, wrote in theHarvard g eschftsleben Review.You need to focus on what you are going to doinstead of working. Create a plan for your time away from work - whether it is an evening out of the office or time on vacation. You need a specific plan, oryou will return to your habits and re-engage with work when you should be away from it. The plan should focus on the activities you are going to perform instead of working, the article continues.So dont sit on the couch, telling yourself you wont think about work while youre off - go enjoy yourself.Dont spend too much time harping about whats bothering you at work in personal conversationsPeter Shallard, a psychotherapist-turned consultant who works with entrepreneurs, saysyou shouldnt spend all of your personal discussions talking about whats bothering you at work if you really want to move on.It can be particularly easy for people who work with a significant other to bring work issues home. If thats you, and youre feeling unbalanced, it can help to set rules ab out how much talking about work can be done at home. Though debriefing during dinner can be OK, talking about work problems reactivates the negative emotions associated with them. Its actually serving to throw that person straight back into the same neurological state that they were in all day, Shallard toldInc.That said, there is an appropriate place to focus these kinds of conversations, by making appointments to speak regularly to someone who isnt involved in the circumstances - like a therapist or mentor - in what can be remarkably freeing, Shallard wrote.Think about what you can controlRather than driving yourself crazy by going over and over in your head about what could possibly go wrong while youre away from the office, or imagining bad feedback from your boss when you get back, take it easy on yourself and remember that you dont have control over those things.Take a step back and think about how even the biggest challenges at work can be a chance to work toward your profe ssional goals and skills, and embrace the things you can control, like your attitude or your peace of mind.Small, daily meditation or exercise sessions can keep you grounded and healthy, and help you make the most of your time away from the office.