Workplace boundaries: How to stop answering e-mails at 5 p.m.

Summary: Have you ever been ready to leave work at 5 p.m., only to get a vague email from your boss? You stay late, miss out on fun with friends, and later realize the task wasn't even important. Psychiatrist Dr. Yekaterina Angelova calls this a "nomergency."

We fall for these fake emergencies because of three lies our brains tell us. First, we think our worth comes from how much we get done, wearing our "busy" schedules like a badge of honor. Second, we try to read minds, stressing out because we guess people expect instant replies when they actually don't. Third, we believe things will completely fall apart if we don't do them ourselves, which just leads to exhaustion and burnout.

The good news? Your brain is flexible. You can rewire these bad habits by consciously choosing to log off and set boundaries. If you practice this enough, leaving work at work will become your new normal.

For more details, see kevinmd at kevinmd.com/2026/03/workplace-boundaries-how-to-stop-answering-e-mails-at-5-p-m.html (opens in new tab)