In today’s world, a nine-to-five job is rarely nine-to-five. After a long day at the office, all you want to do is disconnect from work. Unfortunately, this is next to impossible. With smartphones, tablets and mobile devices, your boss can send you an email at any time of the day or night. Even when your boss is not constantly texting, you are still thinking about work problems after you return home. For you to reach your career potential, you have to find a way to disconnect from work, clear your mind and be ready for your next day.

Start Journaling

Employees can get in trouble for over-sharing on social media. While it is natural to reach out to your friends with your problems, your workplace would rather you keep certain things to yourself. One way to constructively express your stress is by journaling. You can write out your struggles, worries and challenges. Researchers have found that keeping a diary or journal can boost your mental health. It helps you to reduce stress in a constructive manner. Once you write out your worries, you can go to sleep with a peaceful mind.

Remember to Delegate

If you are worried about a million responsibilities, you will never be able to disconnect from work. As any career coach will tell you, you have to learn how to delegate your tasks. Co-workers and employees are there for a reason. If you are always stressed out, it is probably because you need to delegate more. This helps you relax, and it also helps your colleagues to grow. Plus, it will help prevent you from burning out.

Banish Things That Steal Your Time

While it seems like you are constantly working, there are probably a few items that are taking up your time. One common problem is checking email messages the moment they come in. You can save time by only checking messages at set times during the day if it’s practical. Sort your emails according to messages that require a reply, urgent messages and not so urgent messages. If you can find time takers like unnecessary meetings or bad habits, you can focus your time on the important things.

Prioritize Your Breaks

At work, you set priorities about which things you have to do first and which tasks have to be completed before you leave. You should do the same thing with your fun time. When you make sure to schedule time for relaxing, you are more likely to stick to your plan.

Try Meditation

Meditation is good for your physical and mental health. It helps to lower stress and teaches you to stay in the present moment. Plus, you can reap the benefits of meditation in just a few minutes of practice every day. Even if you genuinely have just 30 minutes to relax before bed, you will find yourself enjoying it more when you are able to focus on the present moment completely.

Turn Everything Off

If you have good employees and skilled co-workers, most work-related matters can be handled without you for at least a day or two. When you come home for the night or take a weekend away, turn everything off. Leave your phone and laptop at home. If you really want to disconnect from work, you have to leave behind any way of connecting to the office. Once you are unable to work during your fun time, you can actually focus on having fun and relaxing. What’s practical does vary depending on your role, level of responsibility and support staff. You are the judge of what will and won’t work for your situation.

Some of these activities may be just what you need to be a happier, healthier and more productive member of the team.