12 Ways to Recharge Without Taking a Vacation
If you're like most small business owners and working adults during this pandemic, chances are you have been shortchanging yourself on vacation days. In today's growing gig economy, many professionals have no vacation benefits.
Even if you have a traditional staff position, you may feel like your boss discourages you from using your leave time. But if you are self-employed, you may have very good reasons to be very concerned about a dip in your business if you spend too many days (or even too many hours) away from the office.
Yet, vacations and real breaks from work have been proven to be beneficial to both employees and business owners. Taking a break from work increases productivity and prevents burnout.
While there's no substitute for an adequate vacation policy, you can make the time in between your getaways more pleasant and satisfying. Try these ideas for taking mini-breaks at work and away from the office.
Taking Mini-Breaks at Work:
Vary your tasks. Take a fresh look at what you are doing in your business life. Find ways to spend more time on the responsibilities that help you to achieve a sense of flow. Maybe you can find a way to delegate the rest or at least alternate between them to break up any monotony.
Redecorate your office. A change of scenery can brighten your mood. Bring in a flowering plant that will be easy to care for. Set out pictures of your family and pets. Start a collection of miniature toys or unusual desk accessories.
Stretch out. Stand up, Do some Tapping or some simple exercises about every half hour. Bend forward and reach for your toes. Raise your arms over your head and lower them down slowly to each side with your palms facing forward. Tap on your meridians and lower your cortisol (stress hormone) levels.
Walk around. See if you can schedule a walking telephone meeting. You can really benefit from going outside for a little fresh air and exercise while you discuss business matters. Just make sure you get some good noise-canceling headphones.
Develop your business or career to the next level. Taking control of your future could help you to access more vacation time and reach other work-related goals. Assess your skills and target areas where can grow and where you can delegate.
Taking Mini-Breaks Away From Work:
Shift your focus. Do you find yourself thinking about the office even when you're not working? Make a deliberate effort to disengage. Create rituals that help you to put work behind you, like going to the gym or for a walk after you finish your work duties.
Turn off your phone. If possible, avoid taking calls or checking emails related to work. Get a plan for balancing after-hour emergencies with your need for personal space.
Work on your hobby. Studies show that active leisure is more refreshing than watching TV. Pursue your interests in wine collecting or building furniture. Read, learn and listen to podcasts. Visit public gardens. Play sports, cards, or board games.
Connect with others. Honor your own needs for solitude and social time. When you’re hanging out with your friends and family, use your time together to validate and support each other.
Additional Tips:
Plan your day. Schedule breaks each day instead of waiting for things to slow down. Your mind and body need ongoing rest.
Give generously. Thinking about others makes us feel less burdened. Do something to make your spouse or a stranger smile.
Consider your purpose. Any task is more bearable when you remember the reasons behind it. Ask yourself what you like about your work.
Protect your business/career and take care of your health by giving yourself enough downtime to refresh and recharge. When a vacation is out of the question, treat yourself to some rest and relaxation wherever you find yourself.
Joe Mitchell, Esquire is a High-Performance Coach and EFT (Tapping) Practitioner, who has logged over 35 years of in-depth study of personal and spiritual development. In his studies, he has done hundreds of self-development courses, spiritual retreats, and health-related workshops. Coach Joe is a certified yoga teacher, meditation teacher, NLP Practitioner, and a graduate of three coaching academies. Two years after he graduated from Harvard Law School, he became a monk for five years. In 2016, after over 20 years as a solo criminal and personal injury attorney, he decided to turn his heart's passion into a career as a Success Coach, Motivational Speaker, and Trainer. For information on Coach Joe’s programs, high-performance videos and to apply for a Free High-Performance Session click the following link http://www.activateyourgreatness.com/free-session