Switching off the Engine of Your Mind

‘I like my new phone, my computer works just fine, my calculator is perfect, but Lord, I miss my mind!’ – Unknown

Sometimes, it can feel like work is taking over your life. It's not just that you spend most of your day at work: even when you're not there, you're still thinking about it.

With constant access to the Internet, emails and texts, it's easy to stay plugged in all day when you're at work and when you're away from it. You can find yourself in a mode of permanent activity with little in the way of a rest or break from technology which puts you somewhere that you're not.

But just as you wouldn't leave the engine of your car running when it's parked outside, so you need to switch off the engine of your mind.

In fact, in 2013, the German employment ministry (following moves by companies such as Puma, Volkswagen and BMW) issued guidelines stating that workers were not expected to check email at weekends or in their free time, to prevent employees from burning out.

The guidelines – drawn up to protect workers' mental health – state that staff should not be penalized for switching off their mobiles or leaving their emails unanswered when they are not at work. Managers aren't allowed to call or email staff except in emergencies, to make sure staff ‘disconnect’ outside of working hours.

Your employer and technology aren't totally to blame, though. You need to take responsibility. You need to learn how to disengage, to separate work life and free time.