Sometimes when we’re exhausted, we gravitate toward activities that drain us even more. Or we think we don’t deserve to take a break, so we ignore our body’s whispers for rest. But only in helping ourselves can we help others and do good work.
- The importance of making time to relax. Relaxing, or ‘downtime’ isn’t all about “doing nothing”. It’s about resetting your system and letting your brain unwind, a rare luxury in today’s fast-paced world.
- Put it in your schedule. Relaxation isn’t necessarily instinctive to each of us, therefore we need to formally program as little as an hour, or as much as a full-day into our actual calendar for ME TIME. In these modern times, as we embrace the digital age we are more likely to be attached to our phones and virtual calendars, so it makes sense to formally schedule in our relaxation time on our digital devices so that it becomes part “normal” for even the busiest of us. You might be tempted to skip it when the alert pops up but try to remember how much better you’ll feel and how much more productive you’ll be if you actually do it!
- Make it count. Whenever you get some FREE TIME, use the time to truly unwind, disconnect, and reset your physical and emotional bodies. Take this time to read, watch that movie you’ve been meaning to see, catch up with friends, or sit in the sunshine, on the beach or in a park.
- Even the least time helps! If you’re someone who is “doing it all”, and an hour of relaxation just seems impossible, all is not lost! Put just 10 minutes in your work calendar to get up and take a walk around the block. This will do wonders for your work productivity for the rest of the day.
The best way to truly unwind is to really understand what works for you. Some people unwind with a vigorous run and others by sitting on the couch and watching a TV show. Simple trial and error will help you find the best strategies for you. Just remember not to judge yourself for whatever you choose. Own it, use it, and unwind.
Recent Comments