Is your phone the first thing you look at in the morning? Do you spend your lunch break mindlessly scrolling on social media? You’re not alone. According to recent statistics, adults in the UK spend an average of 8 hours and 41 minutes a day on screens – that’s more time than they are asleep. We spend a total of 25 hours a week online; that’s up from 9 hours a week in 2005.
It’s clear that this ‘always on’ trend is only going to increase, as the demands of modern life are so closely connected with our use of technology. It’s therefore more important than ever to step away from our screens sometimes. And that includes when we’re at work. Not only will it improve relationships within the team, but it’s also proven to help reduce stress and improve mental health.
Stick to office hours
Encourage employees to switch their email off after work ends, unless the business demands an ‘always on’ presence. A culture with high expectations to monitor and respond to emails during non-work time may prevent employees from ever fully disengaging from work, leading to chronic stress and emotional exhaustion in the long run.
Less emails, more conversation
With so much of our days spent sat at our computers, it’s easy to forget about the importance of interaction on a more human level with colleagues and customers. It’s also easy to slip into an email-first process, when a quick conversation could do the trick – and is more likely to iron out any issues straight away. If your business requires you to be on the pulse culturally, it’s a great idea to start the day with a brainstorm or workshop to bounce some ideas around and discuss how your business can fit in with current trends.
Reclaim lunch breaks
Too often lunch breaks are spent scrolling the Internet and never really stepping away from our emails. Even if it is once a week, a group break out of the office is a great morale booster, whether it’s a team pub lunch on a Friday or a series of office events throughout the month. Everyone loves a bake sale!
No phone zones
Spending all day sitting at a desk in front of a screen is unavoidable for most modern business owners, so try to allow yourself to switch off at home. Create no phone zones – at the dinner table or in the bedroom – and give yourself some time each day to decompress away from technology. Yoga, meditation and mindfulness are great practices to consider – twenty minutes a day can do wonders.
Content on this page is paid for and provided by Kia Fleet sponsor of the Guardian Small Business Network Accessing Expertise hub.
