Let’s face it – there can be a real struggle to turn off work mode a lot of the time. With many of us working from home, this transition can be even harder. That’s why I’m sharing a yoga video to help you transition from work to rest mode.
It doesn’t take much imagination to picture this situation – you finish your work day, close your laptop, and get ready to enjoy your evening.
… but end up checking your email 30 more times before bed.
Or your brain is still in “doing” mode and you feel restless. Sitting on the couch leaves you feeling agitated because there’s still so much work to do.
If you’re anything like me, you end up right back on the computer or, even worse, you can’t shut down your energy to sleep later – an ever-growing to-do list is playing in your head.
Without making a clear energy transition, there’s little reason for your brain to shut down work mode or for your nervous system to relax.
Yoga to Switch into Relaxation
Grab your mat and join me for this 20-minute practice that will start to cool down that busy energy. Through a series of movements, we’ll bring the energy down to the earth (literally) and close off with some breath work to activate your nervous system designed for relaxation.
As I mention in the start of the video, this doesn’t necessarily mean a transition after work. For parents, this class may be better suited for after the little ones go to bed, so you can switch from the energy of doing for others to taking care of yourself.
How to Turn Off Work Mode
While this yoga practice is a great way to form that transition, there are other great ways to power down your day of work, especially when your office is now in the middle of your living room.
Try some of these suggestions:
- Change your clothes. As easy as it may be to work in your pajamas right now, it makes it hard for your brain to register the difference between work time and rest time. Use a wardrobe change to create the transition.
- Try six long breaths. When we can focus on our breathing for long enough, we naturally start to lengthen each inhale and exhale. With a slower breath, we’ll engage the parasympathetic nervous system to encourage relaxation in the body and mind.
- Shut down your workspace. Turn things off, declutter your space, and, if possible, put your workspace away. This is especially important if your work zone is in the same room as your relaxation zone, such as the living room or bedroom.
- Make your own transition. Maybe you decide to do a little dance at the end of your workday. You can pour a cup of relaxing tea (or wine). If you used to listen to podcasts on your drive home, do this as you prep for dinner instead.
Creating a clear transition energetically will help you to leave work behind and step back into your personal life at the end of each day. This is especially important for entrepreneurs and business owners who feel that line between work/personal life is pretty thin.
I’d love to know, what helps you power down at the end of your workday? Let me know in the comments!
