Just to wonder how on earth you destress from work?

[SpeedbirdSquawker]

I enjoy my role. Its interesting and rewarding but incredibly stressful at times. All weekend, all I can think of is the fact that it starts again on Monday. I mainly work from the office, but can work from home if my calendar allows, which is once every two or three weeks.

Time to myself through the week is almost non existent. I get home late, shower, eat and bed. Up early the next day for work.

How can I destress? I feel like I'm going to make myself poorly.

De-stressing looks different to different people. What do you like doing? Alone time or time with others? Exercise, walking, shagging, baking, drinking? Make time for and prioritise whatever 'that' is in your downtime.

I only work four days so my weekends feel more substantial.

80% of the pay, though 😏

I used to feel like that but never do now that I have changed roles.
I used to work in a stressful environment and loved it - or thought I did. Now ive made a change Once I'm up snd ready for work I actually look forward to going in.
I know that's not the answer you were looking for so sorry about that.
You could try your get a bit of outdoors time if you can try and squeeze it in, I know it's hard. Meditation can be scoffed at but can also work.
If you're worried about work making you ill the chances are it already is so it's good that you are looking to make changes.
I used to lie on an acupressure mat and listen to a sound bath which was lovely until I got off and turned the music off, the niggling fear and twitchy anxiety came back.

I am rigid about not thinking about it when I am not "at work". When not at work you can't do anything useful so be quick to force yourself not to.

I find getting outside and moving the best way to switch off. Also do you do anything for you outside work, family, socially or hobby wise that takes your focus?

Rather than dealing with the symptoms, I would deal with the cause. Which is work.
A number of things can be done.
I have to do overtime sometimes, but I made sure I get paid handsomely for it, and as a rule, unless it’s brought up first thing in the morning, or a few days in advance, I won’t stay over my contacted hours. No point in asking me at 3 if I can stay on, ‘I have something on’.
I reserve the last hour of my shift for prepping. For the next day/week etc.
I am fairly senior, and my strength is problem solving. I have a system, by which I get rid of as many people as possible around me, so I send everyone for coffee, then I start untangling the mess made. By the time their 10-15 min is done, there is a plan, everyone has a task that they’re clear about and ready for. It works for me, and then I can have 5 minutes to myself without the world imploding.
Thursdays, I find, are the hardest days of the week. So I make sure on Thursdays I have a fairly light schedule, menial tasks that don’t require too much brain engagement. It’s also the day of the week I don’t cook, it’s freezer food.

I’m crap at exercising on my own. So one day a week I run with a friend at 5.30-6 am. Sunday evenings I go for a swim and sauna.

HTH

Acupressure mat for 20 minutes in the evening.
Acupuncture.
Podcasts & audiobooks.
Sewing and embroidery while watching TV with DP.

Lots and lots of plants!

Driving home destresses me.

Your advice is good. But I think these days there are useful things we can do out of work hours, which is of course part of the problem.

I joined a tennis club. Walloping some balls about a couple of times a week does me the world of good.

Wine.

How old are you? I used to stress about work, but now I'm old and knackered and just do the bare minimum while counting the months to retirement.

Paradoxically, I'm earning more than I ever have - my career really took off when I was in my mind 50s. I think it's because I make better, faster decisions now that I've stopped giving a crap.

You need to have something outside work which you love at least as much as your work. It doesn't really matter what it is-could be travel, family, a sport, a hobby, a religion. And if you need to de-stress quickly, sit in a cafe with a book.

I find it really hard to switch off. I think about cases at night and weekends and although I love wfh I guess in some ways it is as bad as my office is always there. Although when I was in an office I was just as bad. I just have to try and purposely take my mind off it, reading, jigsaws, Lego, gym, walking etc. basically filling my head with other stuff. I don’t drink alcohol so no “destressing” glass of wine for me.

Work the minimum amount of time that you can whilst still being able to keep yourself going. If you have to work full time due to money, do as little work as you possibly can without getting sacked.

Forget about work when you walk out the door. Don't answer messages/whattsapp/email etc etc when not at work.

Carve out some time to do the things you enjoy.

I left the health service after 20 years - I just had enough of the shit, stress and hassle of an unsustainable workload. There was no other way. It would have seriously affected my health. No regrets.

I work out/dance/ pilates after work. Then I have a couple of joints with tea through the evening. Some weekends we have edibles and chill out with a film. We aren't drinkers.

I also make sure we have a holiday or at least a weekend away, every 10-12 weeks ish

I work 12.5 hour shifts on a Care of the Elderly ward.
I destress by coming home, shower, foot rub from my partner, a can of ice cold lager and 24 on the telly. I find watching Jack Bauer diffusing yet another bomb very relaxing ☺️