New Jersey: Are You Able To Turn Off Work? Here Are Helpful Tips

The advancements in digital technology are both a blessing and a curse.

We have never been more productive … yet, it also makes it almost impossible to turn off your brain from work.

It is causing an undeniable burnout and psychological distress for millions of Americans.

This is not about being afraid to work hard and give it your all. All of us should do that. It’s about trying to strike a healthy balance between work and much needed down time.

This is becoming increasingly hard to achieve.

According to Keegan LaMar from the Huffpost.com, we must learn to “shake hands with the work day.”

“The act of turning off your work computer or logging off your work application is like a handshake to say, ‘good doing business with you today,’” said LaMar. Challenge yourself to keep all work-related devices powered down until the next morning,” said LaMar.

And, here lies the supreme challenge. I am not able to do this. Can you?

In this age of technology, many feel the need to stay connected and available at all times.

In previous generations, it was never like this. People were able to turn off work and enjoy much needed down time.

Let me tell you about something that I have been doing for the past few years.

After more than two hours of additional show prep each morning (3:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m.) on top of more than 4 hours of daily show prep from the day before … in addition,  I also write a new article every morning by 5:30 a.m.

Then, about 30 minutes before I go on-air, I play about 8 songs that I love. I have a mix of my favorite songs of all time.

My daily setlist includes: Paul McCartney, Chicago, Celine Dion, Carrie Underwood, David Foster and various friends live concerts and many others.

I close my eyes and just listen … letting the music take me away. I set an alarm in case I doze off. I never seem to need it.

This daily constitutional puts me in a relaxed, great mood to be able to take on the day.

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You can consider a wind-down song(s) for the end of your work day.

In my case, I wind-down each day by watching a new movie, or, re-watching one of my favorite movies.

When I’m in for the day, I change from work clothes to something more comfortable. This also signals that it’s time to turn your work brain off.

This is something that I fail miserably in trying to achieve. I find it very hard to shut down … instead settling for a sense of always being “on.” This is not healthy. I need to improve in this area.

Putting a movie on, helps me to try and turn off work, something that I have a difficult time doing.

When I decide that my work day is finally over, I place my cell phone on silent. This is usually around 8:00 p.m., sometimes later. Again, this is not good, when you wake up at 2:15 a.m. daily.

Another thing that I find to be very helpful and healthy … is to have something planned that you have to look forward to in the future.

It can as elaborate as a Disney World family vacation; or, a getaway weekend, or, a family gathering.

Having something to look forward to has always always motivated me to work hard and know that somewhere around the corner is this bonus activity or getaway that you’ve earned.

These are just some of the things that I try to employ in my life. Perhaps some of this will be helpful to you and please let me know some of your techniques that you utilize in your life.

When you strike a healthy balance, you will look forward to working hard and also look forward to enjoying much earned time off.

Work hard. Stay healthy. It’s possible to do both. It’s certainly something worth trying to achieve.