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Ask HN: How do you switch off from work, particularly when working from home?

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Re: Ask HN: How do you switch off from work, particularly when working from home?

#51
post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Good point. That's exactly what I'm doing. Almost regard it as given, but of course, some don't have a separat device for work.

Some people are not so lucky to have a good work machine for their needs. If the company allows working from home computer, it can be tempting to use that if it is more powerful.

That's true. I've been thinking about setting up dual-boot or at the least having separate accounts.

Re: Ask HN: How do you switch off from work, particularly when working from home?

#52
post #20

I met a guy that was in your situation. He would wake up with an alarm clock, shower, get dressed "properly", eat etc. Then leave the house and walk in a predetermined path around the block to arrive back at his house for "work". When work was over (at a set time) he would get up, leave the house again, walk the path in reverse, and arrive "home". ymmv.

This is fantastic, going to try it out tomorrow

Re: Ask HN: How do you switch off from work, particularly when working from home?

#53
Remote and WFH for six years.

Switching off at the end of the day has always been one of the hardest parts, especially since I am in the UK but have worked for companies based in the US. So my day is ending just as my US coworkers are starting to come online and want to communicate. If I don't completely block Slack, etc. I'll get pulled into conversations and end up working late into the evening.

The best I've managed so far, without setting up separate hardware, is to create a "work" browser profile. That runs slack and all the other work-related stuff. Nothing work-related gets connected to my personal email or phone number. At the end of the day, I close the work browser and then the only way my coworkers can reach me is via emergency means.

Re: Ask HN: How do you switch off from work, particularly when working from home?

#54
post #20

I met a guy that was in your situation. He would wake up with an alarm clock, shower, get dressed "properly", eat etc. Then leave the house and walk in a predetermined path around the block to arrive back at his house for "work". When work was over (at a set time) he would get up, leave the house again, walk the path in reverse, and arrive "home". ymmv.

I follow the same routine. Make sure to hug the kids and never let them in the room. I realized the walk makes quite a big difference, especially with cabin fever in quarantine.

Re: Ask HN: How do you switch off from work, particularly when working from home?

#55
post #53

Remote and WFH for six years. Switching off at the end of the day has always been one of the hardest parts, especially since I am in the UK but have worked for companies based in the US. So my day is ending just as my US coworkers are starting to come online and want to communicate. If I don't completely block Slack, etc. I'll get pulled into conversations and end up working late into the evening. The best I've manag…

I'm in a similar situation where I'm in Australia, but I work with many colleagues in the UK. This means late night meetings and work commitments that fall outside of the usual 9-5.

How do you stop it from going 9-9? Block out times in the middle of the day for leisure?

Re: Ask HN: How do you switch off from work, particularly when working from home?

#56
post #20

I met a guy that was in your situation. He would wake up with an alarm clock, shower, get dressed "properly", eat etc. Then leave the house and walk in a predetermined path around the block to arrive back at his house for "work". When work was over (at a set time) he would get up, leave the house again, walk the path in reverse, and arrive "home". ymmv.

One other thing that can help is if you have a badge, lanyard or work clothes you put them on when you start work and take them off when you finish as you might in the office as normal. Assuming you work in an office that is.

Re: Ask HN: How do you switch off from work, particularly when working from home?

#57

I've two PCs (one work and one personnal). At 5PM my work day is over and I go for a walk (4-5 km). This help me to clear my mind and also help me to not spend too much time on my personnal PC after.

While expensive for some this is a good idea. Another option would be to dual boot.

Keep all work related code, apps, and accounts off your personal PC/boot so you aren't tempted to look or "check in" on things.

I've been WFH for about 12 years now on a single PC, but that idea sounds good as I am guilty of checking in on things here and there.

Re: Ask HN: How do you switch off from work, particularly when working from home?

#58
post #35

Home worker for a decade here. Biggest and best piece of advice: take work email off your phone. Better: put your smart phone upstairs on silent after end of working day and leave it there. Best: don't have a smartphone.

> Biggest and best piece of advice: take work email off your phone.

Sometimes it is handy to have email. Unless you are in a huge corporation with 24/7 coverage by other employees there will come a time when something urgent needs your attention.

I just disable push on my work account. I actually disable push and notifications on everything. The only way things get pushed to me are txt and calls, everything else requires an act by me wanting to look at something.

I hate notifications and disturbances so if you _really_ need me you gotta go the old fashioned route and call/txt. And if you do need me I likely need to see something in email or slack or whatever to help provide context/details. Often times that is enough to let me continue about my business vs having to go back home and get on the computer (which hasnt happened in years thankfully)

Re: Ask HN: How do you switch off from work, particularly when working from home?

#60
post #20

I met a guy that was in your situation. He would wake up with an alarm clock, shower, get dressed "properly", eat etc. Then leave the house and walk in a predetermined path around the block to arrive back at his house for "work". When work was over (at a set time) he would get up, leave the house again, walk the path in reverse, and arrive "home". ymmv.

Very good way to avoid burnouts
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