Shutting Down for the Day: Close Your Tabs, Clear Your Mind
In today’s fast-paced work environment, it’s all too common to leave our work computers on with multiple tabs open, thinking we’ll just pick up where we left off the next day. I used to do this often, and the next day I would feel overwhelmed at the number of tabs I had left open, taking way too much time to decide where to start again.
One day, I decided to just shut it all down—tabs and computer—and I found it also shut my mind down to a nice, slow pace too! So I’ve continued to do this daily and found a huge difference in my productivity and mental clarity.
Have you ever considered that those open tabs on your computer might be keeping your mind open and cluttered too? Just like your computer, your mind needs a break. Shutting down your computer at the end of the day can help you shut down mentally, allowing you to rest and refresh without those lingering “tabs” in your mind.
The Modern Work Environment and Mental Clutter
We live in an age where multitasking and constant connectivity have become the norm. Emails, project management tools, social media notifications, and countless other tabs compete for our attention. This constant influx of information can leave us feeling frazzled and overwhelmed. In fact, recent reports show that workplace stress is a significant issue in Australia, with 91% of Australians feeling stressed about one or more important parts of their life and work being a major contributor. Further 21% of Australians report having taken time off work due to feeling stressed, burned out, anxious, or depressed.
For those of us working from home, this can be even more challenging as the boundaries between work and personal time become easily blurred. Living with your work means that taking time off to manage stress is tricky and often feels impossible.
Take a moment right now and count how many tabs, windows, and apps you have open. For many of you, this will be a bit of a shock.
The Psychological Impact of Unfinished Tasks
Enter the Zeigarnik Effect, a psychological phenomenon named after psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik, who discovered that people tend to remember uncompleted or interrupted tasks better than completed ones. This effect occurs because unfinished tasks create a kind of cognitive tension that keeps them active in our short-term memory, almost like mental “tabs” that stay open. When we leave tasks unfinished—like those open tabs on our computer—they linger in our minds, creating a mental burden that can cause stress and impede our ability to relax.
This constant mental juggling can lead to increased levels of stress and anxiety, as our brains remain engaged with these unresolved tasks. This lingering tension can negatively impact our ability to focus, reduce our overall productivity, and affect our sleep quality.
Creating a clear end to our workday, both physically and mentally, by closing those tabs and shutting down your computer can signal to your brain that the workday is over, allowing it to transition into a more relaxed state.
Benefits of Shutting Down Your Computer
Shutting down your computer at the end of the day offers both physical and mental benefits.
Physically, it allows your computer to rest, reducing the risk of technical issues and improving performance.
Mentally, it signals to your brain that the workday is over, encouraging a sense of accomplishment and readiness for a fresh start the next day. This simple act can create a powerful boundary between work and personal time.
Techniques for Mentally Shutting Down
Creating a shutdown routine can help you close the mental tabs of your day. Here are some tips to get started:
Write a To-Do List: Before shutting down, note tasks for the next day. This ensures that you’ve captured everything important and can leave it until tomorrow without worrying that you will forget.
Practice Mindfulness: Spend a few minutes meditating or practicing deep breathing to transition from work mode to relaxation mode. This can help calm your mind and signal the end of the workday.
Shut It Down: Establish a clear end to your workday. This means mindfully walking out of your office building and starting the journey home. For those working from home, it means turning off notifications, closing your laptop, and physically leaving your workspace. Setting these boundaries helps create a mental separation between work and personal time.
The Connection to Better Sleep and Overall Well-being
Mentally shutting down at the end of the day is crucial for improved sleep quality. When your mind is cluttered with unfinished tasks, it’s harder to relax and fall asleep. By creating a clear end to your workday, you allow your brain to rest, leading to better focus, increased productivity, and overall well-being. Studies show that a good night’s sleep is essential for mental clarity and long-term health.
In a world where it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, taking the time to shut down your computer—and your mind—at the end of the day can make a world of difference.
Try it for a week and note the changes in your mental clarity and productivity. Remember, closing those tabs can help you achieve a more relaxed and focused mindset!
Oh, and if one of your tabs was to find a speaker for your next event, or a trainer for your staff—I’ve saved that tab for you! Click here first thing in the morning 😉
Research sources
CPA Australia. "Workplace stress: new report’s alarming findings."
Safe Work Australia. "New report on psychological health in Australian workplaces."
Bond University. "Stress levels in Australian workplaces among the highest."
