Examples of Shutdown Routines
Clean your physical and digital workspace.
Having a clean working environment is known to be effective in decreasing the mental intensity of tasks set, improves our ability to focus and process new information without being overwhelmed.
Physical or digital clutter takes our attention away from tasks and impairs our ability to concentrate sufficiently as there is so much to going on. Therefore, decluttering and closing open tabs as well as clearing completed tasks or no longer relevant emails creates a clean workspace that you can end your day on and start your following shift with.
Compile all unfinished, pending tasks or responsibilities that you may not have got to through the day.
Once you have identified the task that you have not been able to get through, place them into a to-do-list or word document, ranking them in priority of what needs to be addressed ASAP, or what is the most achievable
Sketch out what you day will look like the following work shift
Break down tasks into more achievable amounts.
This can look like setting out a step-by-step protocol to follow, if you have any relevant links or notes link them with each task and attach it to that case.
You can even start your following shift with the most easily achievable task to start your day on a good note.
Acknowledge your achievements for the day
This can look like mentally, verbally or physically noting what your achievements have been for the day. This can look like what have you completed and accomplished through-out the day, however big or small these maybe.
Often when we are under significant internal or external pressure, we forget to acknowledge what we have accomplished and focus on what we have not done. Therefore, taking the time to identify and acknowledge these accomplishments can assist in challenging these pressures or expectations to be completed and decreases the mental tasks that come to mind.
Keep to your scheduled work end
Setting evening intentions to work towards and plan for after your work hours and reminding yourself of them throughout the day can help in keeping to a routine that ensures you are not overworking yourself. As well as giving yourself something to look forward to. This can be going for a walk, meeting loved ones or partaking in activities that encourage you to engage in yourself.
End of day ritual action
This can be useful as creating this habit will reinforce this separation from work to home life.
If you are remote working, enacting a fake commute can help in creating that distinction from work to home life such as leaving your residence and going for a walk (which can also help in practicing mindfulness), actively packing away your workspace, or even changing clothes.
Other rituals could be listening to specific playlists that you associate with your end of workday, reading books, responding to messages received during the workday or organising spontaneous catch ups with loved ones or calling them.
Overall benefit of shutdown routines
In conclusion these routines are easy actioned habits that can support in challenging perspective, thought patterns and encouraging individuals to reengage in themselves as part of their self-care.
