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Writer's pictureLewis Burton

The importance of recovery from work: Strategies for a balanced work life

In today's ever-evolving work environment, where hybrid and remote setups are becoming the norm, the concept of recovery from work is even more prevalent than before. As the majority of us no longer clock in and out; the lines between work life and home life have blurred, causing less opportunities for recovery to occur during the week.

 

In the literature, Recovery from work is a complex concept, with various definitions, however, simply put, it refers to an “unwinding process of reducing or eliminating strain caused by stressors of work” (Sonnentag, Venz, & Casper, 2017). Research consistently shows that neglecting recovery from work can lead to detrimental effects on both employee well-being and job performance.

 

Sonnentag’s (2007) model emphasises that psychological experiences aid individuals to detach from work-related stressors. Sonnentag outlined four key dimensions for recovery, including: relaxation, mastery experience, control over leisure time, and psychological detachment.

 

The most important of these dimensions is the concept of ‘psychological detachment’. Psychological detachment refers to mentally dissociating from projects and blocking out work-related thoughts outside of work hours. This is the most significantly related dimension to both employee well-being, and work performance outcomes. Therefore, it is vital that employers create an optimal environment for employees to psychologically detach from work in their downtime.

 

Below are some evidence-based ways employers can foster employee’s psychological detachment and enhance recovery from work:


  1. Fostering Work-Life Balance: Managers play a pivotal role in promoting work-life balance by encouraging employees to disconnect from work during non-working hours. Creating a supportive culture where employees feel empowered to switch off from work-related matters outside of their designated hours is essential for their overall well-being.

  2. Communication Culture: Establishing clear communication boundaries regarding work-related tasks outside of working hours is vital. This prevents employees from feeling obligated to respond to emails or messages during their downtime, enabling them to achieve better psychological detachment.

  3. Structured Breaks: Incorporating structured breaks throughout the workday is crucial for employee well-being. These breaks allow employees to recharge and refocus, ultimately enhancing both their mental and physical health.

  4. Managing Workload: Overwhelming workloads can lead to burnout and exhaustion. Employers should strive to distribute tasks effectively, ensuring that employees are not overwhelmed with excessive work. Managing workload effectively is essential for maintaining employee well-being and productivity.

  5. Empowering Autonomy and Learning Opportunities: Providing employees with autonomy and opportunities for skill development is key to promoting work recovery. When employees feel empowered and engaged in their work, they are more likely to detach from work-related stressors during their downtime.

 

Conclusion

Prioritising recovery from work is paramount in today's fast-paced work environment. By implementing strategies to support recovery, organisations can foster a healthier and more productive workforce It's not just about the quantity of work but also about the quality of downtime. Even if your company supports this in theory, it's worth reiterating to people verbally. Investing in work recovery initiatives will undoubtedly yield positive outcomes for both employees and organisations in the long run.


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