Unplug to re-connect
Unplug to re-connect
6 November 2025 - from 13h30 to 17h00
General context
Unplugging for greater productivity, focus, and job satisfaction!
Being always connected can have a major impact on both our concentration (during work) and the ability to mentally disconnect from work. That, in turn, impacts your concentration and productivity, and the negative spiral is set off. The consequences of always being on can weigh on our well-being as well as our productivity.
That is why, during this training, you will gain insight into your own disconnection profile, and we will provide tools to deal with various forms of hyperconnectivity. You will go home with hands-on techniques to deal with the 3 forms of disconnection (digital, psychological, and emotional) into practice.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify their personal connection/disconnection profile and how it affects their concentration, boundaries, and work behavior.
- Recognize digital stressors (“techno-stress”) and energy drains in their daily routine.
- Apply practical strategies to improve digital, psychological, and emotional disconnection.
- Reflect on their current work-life balance and take steps to improve it sustainably.
- Set realistic expectations for themselves and others to prevent overload.
- Make conscious choices about connectivity and digital availability.
- Assertively communicate personal boundaries and needs in a professional context.
- Integrate new routines that promote focus, recovery, and well-being.
This training uses a spaced learning format to support long-term behavioral change. Before the session, participants complete an intake and disconnection profile checklist via the online learning platform.
The in-person or online workshop includes:
- real-life case discussions,
- individual reflection exercises, and
- actionable tools for balanced connectivity.
After the session, participants are invited to take part in a “buddy challenge” and receive follow-up nudges via the platform to reinforce learning. The approach is experience-based, practical, and aimed at creating lasting habits for better focus and well-being.
All VIB staff.
The course focused on the different forms of connectivity and provided a framework of thinking as well as practical ways to improve the ability to disconnect. The importance of this was explained in context of different forms of energy and rest activities. The interaction was nicely done as well.
Participant edition 2024
Trainers
Katrien Giebens
Katrien has over twenty-five years of experience in management roles in academia and retail. She excels at delivering messages in an engaging way, persuading and inspiring people—something she both enjoys and does well. Regardless of age, language, or background, Katrien knows how to successfully draw anyone into a story, thanks to her experience in various professional contexts.
Program
The program of this training is composed of 6 parts in which the transfer of what has been learned is always guaranteed.
Your connected brain
- Your brain in hyperconnection
- Exercise: Your 'connection' profile and its impact
- 3 forms of disconnection (digital, psychological and emotional)
Digital disconnection: The digital brain
- The neuroscience of Digital Wellbeing
- Exercise: mapping digital 'gains & drains
- Exercise: handles for digital comfort (example: Appendix A.2.)
- Digital Etiquette: the brain balance
Psychological disconnection: The ON/OFF switch
- Why a digital detox works for zebras, but not for us
- Exercise: How to make the bridge
- Exercise 'Grip on time': about loose ends, priorities and goals
- The ON/OFF switch: unplugging techniques
Emotionally disconnecting: rumination can be (un)teached
- Why your brain sticks to your work
- From disconnection to connection-equilibrium
- Exercise: Work Related Thought Questionnaire
Personal action plan
- The disconnection framework©: your guide after today
- Exercise: Completing the disconnection framework©
- Exercise: How do I bring this to my supervisor/team?
- Post-work framework
Practical info
06 November 2025
Brussels - VUB Campus Etterbeek
Pleinlaan 2
1050 Brussels
Belgium
06 November 2025
Brussels - VUB Campus Etterbeek
The campus is well served by metro, tram and buses of MIVB and De Lijn. An overview of stops around the campus can be found on the access plan.
Plan your route with the planner of MIVB and De Lijn.
The campus is easily accessible by train. Etterbeek and Delta train stations are within walking distance. From Brussels Central Station, in addition to the train to Etterbeek station, you can also take metro line 5 to Pétillon stop or cycle 5 km to the campus. You can plan your trip to VUB with the NMBS route planner.
06 November 2025
Brussels - VUB Campus Etterbeek
Brussels is building a network of cycling routes so that cyclists can get around safely. You can use the Brussels Route Planner to find the fastest or safest cycling route in Brussels. To commute easily from Flanders, you can use the Cycle Highways.
On the Campus Map, you will find an overview of bike tracks spread across the campus. At Student Information (Building D) you find the largest bike parking. There are several Villo! Stations around the campus where you can take a bike with a subscription or ticket and return it to another Villo! Station of your choice.
Here you can find more information on cycling to VUB and in Brussels.
06 November 2025
Brussels - VUB Campus Etterbeek
Plan your route via maps.
Visitors can request access by car via this link. Enter the campus via entrance 6 on Triomflaan and park in the underground car park under building I.
Low Emission Zone: The campus is located in the low emission zone (LEZ) of Brussels Capital Region (BCR). If you come by car, check whether your car is allowed to drive in the LEZ. If your car doesn't meet the access criteria for the LEZ, then you can buy a day pass. Cars registered abroad must register for the LEZ unless they are registered in The Netherlands.
06 November 2025
Brussels - VUB Campus Etterbeek
Room E3.06 (building E, 3rd floor)