How do you handle work stress without bringing it home?

May 7·1 min read

Had a brutal day at work, closed a big deal but it was political nightmare and I'm exhausted. Got home and my kids want to play, my wife wants to talk about her day, and I just want to sit in the garage. I know that's not fair to them but sometimes you just hit empty. How do you guys shake off work mode and actually be present? Any tricks that actually work or am I just asking too much of myself?

5 comments141 views

Comments(5)

MMiguelRegularMay 8

After a day like that I go straight to the backyard with my kids. Puddle jumping, kicking a ball around, something physical and stupid. Gets the work stuff out of my head faster than anything else. Plus the kids don't care about your deal, they just want you present.

RRonRegularMay 8

Congrats on closing the deal though, that's solid. But yeah, the comedown is real. I try to do something with my hands when I get home - grill time, yard work, whatever. Keeps my brain from replaying the day on a loop.

TTom R.RegularMay 7

Man, that's the struggle right there. I've found that even 10 minutes of genuinely being present with the kids helps me shake off the work day faster than anything else. Then I can actually be there for my wife's conversation instead of still being in work mode.

NNoah B.RegularMay 7

Congrats on closing that deal, but yeah those political battles are draining. I try to do something physical right after work to burn off that stress energy before I walk in the door. Even just a quick walk around the block helps me reset.

MMarkRegularMay 8

That political stuff is the worst. I've learned to just sit in my car for 15 minutes before I walk in the house. Listen to a podcast, some music, whatever. Just decompress. Your family doesn't need to absorb that stress, and honestly you'll be a better dad if you give yourself that buffer.