A recent study by researchers at the University of Trier and RWTH Aachen has revealed a significant correlation between successfully disconnecting from work after hours and increased well-being, both professionally and personally. The research, analyzing data from the Socio-Economic Panel, examined responses from up to 30,000 individuals regarding factors including income, health and overall life satisfaction.
Findings indicate that creating both physical and psychological distance from work can lead to a reduction of negative emotions, such as sadness, anger and worry, by approximately five to six percent. Individuals who effectively switch off from work demonstrated a two to six percent increase in satisfaction levels related to health, sleep, leisure time, family life and their jobs themselves.
The results highlight the importance of genuine recovery and suggest employers should re-evaluate existing practices. Researchers note that while constant availability is often rewarded, it ultimately undermines employee happiness in the long term. Further research is planned to investigate this phenomenon in different countries and to assess its impact in the post-pandemic era.
