How do you not let your job stress you out?

[C1239]

Are you good at switching off from work at the end of the day? I need to learn to get better at this, so I have a better work / life balance. Any tips much appreciated!

I try to relax after work by watching Severance and wondering when the technology will become available.

I try to walk every day. Clears my mind.

when daylight allows I have a short walk after work on days I WFH. Otherwise obvious things like nothing work related on your personal phone. I also try and take the attitude that my work doesn’t save lives (unless yours does!) and it’s not worth worrying about.

I feel like this op.

I wish it didn't bother me as we are all replaceable.

Following with interest.

I'm very good at it now. I have a fairly senior management job, responsible for 120 staff.

I know I work hard at work, they they get excellent value for money from me during the day. If that not enough, thats their problem. Out of work it really hardly crosses my mind.

It took a lot of years to achieve that, but I honestly don't think it's made any difference to my performance in the job.

I try really hard to work to the mantra of 'put it into persepctive'. Whilst I'd like to think my job is worthwhile and has a positive impact, I'm not saving lives and, in reality, the big things to me are small fry to someone else (obviously not applicable to all jobs!) That's the work perspective.

I also try and keep perspective against my personal life - the worst thing happening at work would be nothing compared to the worst thing happening at home. It's just a job at the end of the day and there are things far more important to me (don't mean that to sound flippant as I do rely on my job for income etc.) but I use the importance of my kids, husband and life at home to keep work in perspective.

I have a what's the worst that can happen mantra. My boss says "will anyone die or are we going to prison?" Both of which could happen in our jobs, but provided we have those covered we're good!

Exercise is the only thing that does it for me. I run or go to
the gym early every morning and walk at lunchtime. If I’m stressed in the evening I’ll do a spin class. It has
to be hard work, gentle stretching etc doesn’t do it for me. It totally takes my mind to another place.

I really need to change my way of thinking , these responses completely make sense.

I agree with this completely. I try my best and do a good job. For me it was time - I've been doing the same job for a while and know the world doesn't cave in if something goes wrong. Much of the time, no one even notices.

I come home and walk the dogs and feed the horses. Fresh air really helps for sure!

I also write stuff down that I need to do so I can tick it off.

I have a deliberately low stress job so that I focus on my family and not on work.

@NewFriday what did you do to reach this point?

I find it really hard too op, I’m due back to work part time in April after mat leave. I’m hoping that part time will put things in a less stressful perspective and leave me some headspace! I do yoga which I find really helps, also running. But I do think they both just ‘turn it off’ for a bit rather than solve the issue! Xx

The drive puts physical distance between work and home, and gives me 40 minutes to transition.

Also I am incredibly well managed, so I have enough time to do what I am supposed to.

I have an intense and demanding but incredibly enjoyable job, and I sometimes use a journal to kind of 'download' my day to decompress. I have a sketch pad too and I sometimes draw my feelings.

I think some of it just comes with age/experience. You learn to realise that things go wrong and it's OK.

I also have a very busy personal life, so I really don't have time to think about work outside of work. At work I'm 100% at work, at home I'm 100% at home. The only times I've been stressed have been when I haven't been able to achieve that - usually when home has encroached on work TBH.

I'm finding this hard too OP, I think there are a lot of us who find it hard to switch off.
I'm trying to prepare better for work (yoga in the morning, make a proper lunch) and I also try to remember that anything terrible I do would be a genuine accident, and anything not terrible really doesn't matter.

Swimming.
You can't think of much when you're ploughing up and down a lane thinking about your breathing.
Jigsaws when things are really full on...

No, just stressed all the time (unhelpful!)

Sertraline, 50 mg daily

I became a contractor. No need to get involved in any corporate bollocks and the knowledge that it's not forever is hugely helpful for me. And tbh partly knowing that you're unlikely to be the one picking up the pieces when those higher up are making shit choices about a project you're working on

Incredibly loud music on the commute. And a sneaky stop for a cigarette.

Wine, lots of wine!

I try to put it into perspective. Today was a shit day, chalk it up and have another go tomorrow.
I don't do the sort of job where someone could die (though murder is always a possibility), and they'd replace me within a few weeks (also v senior role). The world would keep turning.

Indoor climbing was a great de-stressor. I can't find the time to do anything except household chores these days

I just got to the point where my job (NHS) was so stressful and thought fuck it and decided to put myself first cos no one else will as it so affected my mental health. Working for the NHS nearly broke me.

I still care greatly about what I do ie about the patients and the service we offer, when I'm there, but at the same time I don't care cos I don't have the same capacity to care, if that makes sense.

My journeys are my transition between work/home me so are my decompress time. Cuddling with pets are the way to go!

Just to add, I take pride in what I do, I'm good at my job, I enjoy my job. But it's the be all and end all. My life outside of work is more important than work.