Psychological Detachment
A First Steps NZ Resource by Umbrella
How to get the most out of your downtime.
Most of us would agree that time away from work is important to our wellbeing, and to restore our ability to perform well when we return. But in our hectic lives, it can be hard to switch off and properly recover. How often have you got to the end of your weekend only to feel as though you need another one?
Psychologist Sabine Sonnentag has researched a particular skill called “psychological detachment”, which helps to maximise the benefit of our time outside work. In her research, psychological detachment was a better predictor of positive mood and less fatigue than the amount of time people spent in non-work-related activities. These findings indicate that being able to mentally switch off from work is more important for our ability to recover than the activity we do or how long we do it for. Psychological detachment is therefore defined as the ability to mentally disconnect from work and not think about job-related issues when you are away from your job.
Browse More Popular Resources
View and download our most popular First Steps NZ tools and resources.
Therapy myth busting: what is therapy actually like?
For those who have never been before, therapy may feel shrouded in mystery. Hollywood portrayals and the confidential nature of therapy have contributed to many misconceptions about what goes on in the therapists office. This unfortunately may deter people from getting support. I want to demystify the therapy experience and remove this barrier. Let’s look at some of the common therapy myths.
Should I go to therapy?
At some point in life, you may have asked yourself “Should I go to therapy?” However, it is not uncommon to hesitate in taking the next step of contacting a therapist. If therapy has not been normalised in your circle of family and friends, you may be unsure of when and where to seek help. So how do you know when you should reach out and to whom?
The Psychology of Change
It is well-established from psychological research that people do not make sudden decisions to change their behaviour and start acting differently. Change is a gradual and imperfect process. The behaviour change is just one part in the chain.
Fighting Fair: Getting Comfortable with Conflict at Work
Conflict is a part of work life that elicits discomfort in many people. Understandably there may be an urge to avoid or prevent conflict, however the research suggests it’s more important to address it
Supercharge your Communication
Human beings need to communicate. It is the mechanism through which we build and maintain the relationships, groups, and communities essential to our survival. This includes our businesses. Some studies report that up to 80% of a worker’s day is spent communicating
Psychosocial Hazards: A guide for SME business owners
According to the occupational health and safety definition, the term ‘psychosocial hazards’ refers to “the aspects of design and management of work and its social, organisational context that may have the potential to cause psychological or physical harm.”