How do you relax after work especially if you work from home?

[C1239]

After a full on day at work how do you switch off and relax? Especially if you work at home? Work is very busy at the moment and I can feel myself struggling to relax.

A bit extreme, but we moved house so I had an office, previously I was working in the living room so really hard to switch off. I keep my office door closed when not working and find it quite easy to shut off at the end of the day. I go for a walk at lunch.

I much prefer office days as there’s a clear end to the day. My day tends to sort of end when dc get back from school (I miss the school run!) but often I’m still keeping an eye on emails for another hour or even two and then it’s suddenly time to get on with making tea.

I don’t have an office but I put my monitor away and my laptop etc in its bag, put the small bits a furniture back and I’m done.

Gym or swim shower, eat, tv. Exercise really helps me change my state of mind.

I shut down my laptop and pack it away every evening, I work at my dining table, so packing up and moving to the sofa is my transition.

Lots of good ideas here. DH and I usually rush around making food, taking kids to various activities, come back and walk the dog, then more food shopping or making, pick kids up then we all eat. I may watch some tv or help kids with homework. This thread makes me think we need to review our evening - no wonder I am utterly exhausted by the weekend……

Watch The Chase

Netflix and MN

Then bed early

Netflix

Go for a run, drink wine, lie on my bed and listen to a podcast.

We have a good walk in all weathers after work even if we've been into the office. I'd miss it so much now if I couldn't go out for a walk

• I have a clear routine that starts and ends my work day. I walk the dog, feed the dog, make a coffee and then go to my office (the spare room) to start work for 8am every day. At the end of the day, I shut down my laptop, shut off the lights, close the curtains, leave the office and close the door behind me
• I do something very different after work. In better weather I normally do some gardening or go to the allotment. In worse weather I do something else, much as I would do if I'd just got home from a business office. e.g. a bit of housework. Anything physical (not mental).
• I have a strict rule that does not allow thinking about work during the evening/night. It takes practice to settle into it, but I just keep reminding myself and thinking about something else every time I catch myself stewing on work.

Go straight to the gym or walk to the local for a couple of drinks.

I also go to the office once a week and nowadays look forward to the commute (although it helps I've just bought a shiny new car!)

I have to go out as soon as I finish work to my horse, DH goes to collect DD. When I get home 2hrs later I do bedtime stories and then watch TV.
The gap out of the house is like a commute for switching off from work.
I don’t have an issue relaxing though. I find it harder on office days.

I really struggle with wfh. I have a massive screen that I can’t move stiluck in my font room of my small house - I feel ok at weekend when I can put it on the chair & put a throw over it but I’m starting to not like my house now.

I try & ignore it & watch tv, play with my dd & walk my dog. Weekends are better as I always have plans or at least the park or out of the house.

Long dog walk
Bath
Wine

Why not buy a pretty room divider so that your work area is out of sight when you finish? You can choose something in keeping with your living room so it doesn't look office-like. I work from my bedroom and when I finish I put the screen around my little work area and it makes a big difference psychologically. Out of sight, out of mind!

I close the office door and don't go back in until the morning. Put some loud rock music on and start cooking dinner and a kitchen disco / karaoke.

Gym, walk, visit supermarkets looking for yellow sticker bargains, tap dance class and one night a volunteer activity. I find I need to get out.

I also dress for work even when at home and clear my workspace at the end of the day.
Walk or gym is the best way for me to separate the day and helps clear my head. Listen to something while cooking something healthy - I don’t particularly like cooking but when I have something to listen to my mind empties and I get into it.

If I’m stressed I avoid caffeine after midday. Trying to rely less on wine!

Bedtime routine as well - half an hour before I want to sleep I am religious about my skincare. Then dim the lights, no screen time just music/podcast/book. If you struggle to get to sleep there’s some good mindfulness apps and podcasts with white noise or stories (i like one called nothing much happens)

keeping an eye on this thread for more tips

I usually take a complete screen break for an hour, clear my head, sometimes go for a walk, then have dinner and watch YouTube for the evening

On WFH days I run a bath so I can get into it bang on 5. Shut my laptop down, then spend 90 minutes in the bath with my book (or faffing on TikTok). Feed the cat, put pjs on, do ten minutes of yoga, then either me or DP cooks dinner.

I dont work anymore (happily retired) but my daughter does work from home, and if the weather is agreeable she goes to her allotment. Depending on the season, she digs, sows, weeds or harvestes

Her job is mainly computer / phone based. So her allotment gives her a nice break.

Exercise
Finish work, change, home workout peloton then shower and pjs on and then it's "home" time

Wine.