Tips to disconnect from work

Plan your day/week

To be organized and have as few surprises as possible - which often means working overtime to catch up on some tasks - plan your week as much as possible. It won't always stay that way as the week progresses, but it helps you keep a clear mind about what tasks you need to do. Always have a to-do list.
Time management is essential for productivity. Do you feel you often waste too much time in unnecessary meetings? Follow our strategies for efficient teams meetings.

Prioritize

Not all tasks are equal. Sometimes you'll have to say no to a deadline because you already have more important tasks on your agenda. On the other hand, sometimes you'll have to change your planning because something urgent comes up. Learning to be agile is an important soft skill that can help you disconnect from your work.

Learn how to say no

Sometimes to your colleagues, sometimes to yourself. Most people don't expect you to be online 24/hours all the time. It's okay to reply to an email the next morning if you're away from the workplace.
Since hybrid working and working from home gained ground, the debate about the "right to disconnect" has gained even more ground and it has been imperative for employment law to set limit times for workers to be contacted by their employers.
Know that you are protected by the Labour Code law. According to portuguese Law No. 83/21: "remote work meetings, as well as tasks that, due to their nature, should be carried out in precise times and in conjunction with other workers, should take place within working hours and should preferably be scheduled 24 hours in advance".

Set realistic deadlines

Sometimes we sabotage our own work by setting unrealistic deadlines and goals. Try to look objectively at your desk, allow realistic timing for everything and try to stick to what you had planned. If you realise you need to adjust things, then re-prioritise.

Mute / Use parental control

Knowing how to switch off is important. Working hours are made for work, and resting hours are made for rest.
Create limits on your electronic devices. If you find it hard to switch off, change work-related apps and notifications during your time away from work. If you still can't resist, try applying parental controls or a password to access your apps outside of work hours. It's always harder to cheat when you put a physical barrier to your brain. The solution is simple: don't look at your phone. Don't answer emails after hours.
Choose a hobby/leisure activity that forces you to be away from your phone. Anything that gives you pleasure and allows you to switch off from everything else, that makes you unload stress and reduce anxiety. Get out of the house, socialise and experience moments of leisure. A healthy body and balanced mental and emotional health are the engine for working better.

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