SUPPORT - You had an horrific day at work - how not to let that creep into your home time

By Chief Editor and Blog Manager- Amanda-Jane Turner

AWSN is all about connecting, supporting, collaborating and inspiring women who work in any type of security industry.

 

So today I thought we would focus on SUPPORT and look out what happens when we have a bad day in our chosen industry. When work has left you feeling stressed and exhausted, how do you prevent the challenges of the work day from creeping insidiously into your home time with your family and friends?

This is something many of us will face at some time or other during our working life. Even jobs we love, our dream jobs, may sometimes raise challenges and stressors to our day.

These are not fool proof tips, they may not work for you, but they are suggestions for you to consider to help support you. It would be great to hear from you about what you do to keep work at work and not let the stress of the office come home with you. Feel free to post your ideas in the comments.

Some of these strategies may not be practical for your situation and some ideas you may have tried and decided they don't work. The following however are coping procedures that may be of benefit to supporting a healthier work life balance and help to reduce the risk of bringing the stress of work home with you when you log out for the day.


1. Establish boundaries

2. Schedule YOU time

3. Appreciate the small things

Establish Boundaries

Just because you may be able to log into work after hours from home, unless you are on call or there is an urgent work need for you to do so, don't! Your home time is yours. Leave work at work. Resist the temptation to check your work emails from home and if you have a separate work mobile turn it off when you are home.

Schedule YOU time

If your work day is so full that you are driven by guilt to keep working once you have gone home, schedule a meeting for yourself, that is your time! Block out a chunk of time that is for you. An appointment you keep for yourself. Use this time to read, relax, stop thinking about work!!

Appreciate the small things

A challenging day at work can stop you appreciating the small things in a day that can bring you joy. When you leave your workplace notice what is around you. Pay attention to the little details that can bring joy. Is that a butterfly flitting around in front of you? Can you smell the delicious fragrance of coffee brewing? Does the sun feel nice and warm on your face? Is there a fresh chill in the air? Can you hear laughter? As you leave work leave work there. Work is not your life. Take a moment to notice small things that can bring joy. Hold onto that joy and take THAT home with you.

How do you keep the challenges of work at work and not bring it home with you?

References

• https://idealistcareers.org/burnout-work-relationships/
• http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/work-stress.aspx
• https://cairdeasco.wordpress.com/2017/05/09/how-to-stop-bringing-work-stress-home-with-you/
• https://www.bustle.com/articles/151964-7-ways-to-not-let-work-come-home-with-you-at-the-end-of-the-day
• https://www.worktolive.info/blog/bid/351410/stress-management-how-to-switch-off-job-stress-at-home

(c) AWSN 2018

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organisation or association.