10 Practices to Leave Work at Work

As Counseling Center Directors, our work is important and often time-consuming.  It’s easy to find yourself thinking about work during the times you’re not at work, which can contribute to stress and make you less present to yourself and others in your life outside of work. Below are 10 simple suggestions to create a clear end to the work day so you can leave ready to enjoy your time away from work.

1. Choose a closing song to play every day as you close up the office.

2. Engage in a short (even 1 minute works!) mindfulness exercise to shift your focus. Meditate, do some breathwork, or do some quick yoga poses.

3. Create a list of to-dos for the next time you’re at your desk and leave it where it’s visible.  You can walk away knowing you have your list ready when you walk back into work and you don’t have to think about it while you’re away from the office.

4. Park further away from your work than necessary so you can transition during the walk to your car. Walking home from work or riding a bike also provides an excellent transition.

5.  Use a scent to signal the end of the work day.  You can choose an essential oil to diffuse or a scented spray that signals the day is over.

6. Check in with someone as you head home to shift into social connections outside of work. 

7. Shake it off – literally.  Stand up from your desk and shake your body.

8. Allow yourself 4-5 minutes of distraction to end your day.  That may look like a quick game on your phone or computer or checking social media. (If you tend to dive in too deep and lose track of time, this suggestion may not be the best option for you).

9. Sing, hum, whistle.  You might want to wait until you’re outside the office for this one if you like to belt out the lyrics of a power ballad or opera aria.

10.  If you drive home, open your car window and imagine the flowing air is taking away all the stress of the day. If you’re walking or biking, let your worries dissipate in the open air.