Technology Unplugging

Weekend Workaholic? The Importance of ‘Unplugging’ for Young Professionals

The year 2016 has been rough for most of us, but despite the twists and turns that we encountered in the past year, life (and work) still goes on. This 2017, welcome the New Year with one goal: unplugging for long-term success.

Being “busy” does not always equate to optimal productivity. You don’t need rocket science to know that work without breathing space will stretch you out.

 Technology and Stress

Technology and mobile phones have made it easier for everyone to communicate, but it might also be a culprit in blurring the lines between work and personal life.

In fact, a survey from GFI Tech Talk reveals that 81 percent of professionals, mostly millennials, check their emails even on weekends. It has also become normal to not expect work to end on the dot and extend for a couple of hours, or get a call from your boss on a Sunday morning.

But always being available via technology has its cons, too. A study from the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology says employees who are expected to be available for work-related things, even when outside the office, showed an elevated stress response.

The study conducted a survey involving 132 people from 13 organizations, asking them about their daily work habits. The results showed that respondents who are reachable at all times have elevated cortisol levels than those who aren’t. Cortisol is a hormone released by the body as a response to stress.

Why Young Professionals Also Deserve Balance

It’s hard to be at the low end of the corporate ladder. If you’re a newbie in an office, chances are, people will think that you have greater freedom and flexibility, which sometimes lead to more amount of work.

However, it’s in the best interest of the company to avoid overworking and overstressing their employees as they serve as representations of the organization. Being stressed can lead to poor focus, more mistakes, decreased innovation, and inability to manage time properly — in short, mediocre work.

Why Companies Should Care

There are many potential employees in the market, but it’s hard to find people who’ll be future assets. A high resignation rate could be the result of poor management and inability to implement work-stress coping strategies.

In order to retain people, it’s best to create comfort zones and proper work-life balance among employees to keep them at their highest productivity. Emotional exhaustion, robotic work, and inability to meet expectations are the main factors in an employee burnout, and providing options for various types of employees is important in fostering a healthy working environment.

Unplugging in the Modern Age

There are simple ways to “unplug” for young employees, such as providing time for activities that enhance self-growth. Instead of checking emails, do yoga, exercise, play video games, or anything that’s purely fun and relaxing.

If you really can’t go offline for a long time, it’s helpful to determine what your limits are in terms of being available. Can you take your eyes off the screen for thirty minutes, a couple of hours, or a whole day? This helps you plan the activities you can do for yourself, whether taking quick breaks or daytrips, and letting your workmates know the best time to get hold of you. During these unplugging breaks, mute your phone to break the habit of checking out messages.

A pair of noise-cancelling headphones and a relaxing playlist are your best friends when destressing while at your desk. This creates a mini-escape when work gets a little bit heavy.

During a big break, like a vacation, plan ahead of time. Companies value team players, so make sure that you’re at work when the company needs you the most. When you’re on holidays, utilize email services that filter out spams as well as auto responses to let people know when you’ll be available to respond.

Keep in mind that being busy does not mean you’re on your way to success. Being mentally and physically away from your desk does not also mean you’re slacking off. Oftentimes, great ideas come when you have a fresh and recharged mind.

For millennials who are dreaming to make it big, investing in one’s self plays a big role in long-term success. Taking care of your body and mind means you’ll be around longer rather than being left on the sidelines.