How to switch off after you clock off

Many of us have started to work from home and it means that instead of leaving work in the office, we can get trapped at our desk. If you're caught up in the minutiae of work long after the day is done, find out how to switch off and try the following suggestions to help let go and find some peace of mind.

Dedicate the last hour of the day to sorting out tomorrow and either finalise or plan all the urgent things on your 'to-do' list. Our brains are wired to rebel against unfinished business, but it's much easier to relax and switch off if there's a plan in place.

If you spend your days in your head, finish it by getting into your body. Twenty to thirty minutes of moderate to hard aerobic exercise such as a walk, ride or run resets your body's stress levels and prepares you to relax. It needs to be vigorous enough to get you breathing hard if you want to generate feel-good hormones that will make you sleep like a baby. So, strap on your shoes, fire up a playlist that includes anything from Chariots of Fire to Rocky, and hit the pavement or gym.

You don't have to be a cave-dwelling Buddhist monk or yogi to find a little peace. Just learning to be truly present in the moment can work miracles - benefits include stress relief, increased creativity and emotional calmness. It comes down to what you pay attention to. You might not be able to stop your mind whirring, but you can choose how much attention you give it. By learning to focus on what’s happening in reality - the here and now - you can rediscover the wonder that children feel all day long. Once, we didn’t know any different either. Try to get back to that.

Most of us experience stress because we expect too much of ourselves. If you set a realistic goal and achieve it, you go home feeling like King Kong who just climbed the Empire State. If you set unachievable goals, you go home feeling like sidewalk slime after being shot down. So be realistic about the expectations you set for yourself and practice a bit of self-love and compassion if, and when, you come up short.

Buy a relaxation tape or some music that you find soothing and take the time to listen to it. Even just 10 minutes can induce a sense of calm in mind and body. Surely the television, your family and the dog can survive without you for a short period time. The latter two will also be thankful when you return sane and happy.

For more wellness advice and tips on how to switch off when you clock off, read about how to increase your energy levels.