What relaxes you?

We discussed stress in a previous post. But it is equally important to talk about relaxation. We live in a world where the majority in the developed world spend more and more hours at work. The recent pandemic has just accelerated that trend, and the shift to work from home, means that anyone in the ‘knowledge’ economy has no visible indicator of when to shift from a work mindset to a home mindset.

Studies upon studies have shown that time off is crucial for our well being. Our mind needs to be let to wander if we want to be creative. Our bodies need to let go of stress if we want to feel energetic. By dismissing relaxation time as ‘non-productive’ you are doing more harm than good to yourself in the long run. The difficult part however is to find out what activities actually help us relax.

Spend some time asking yourself this question. Make a list of all the things that help you relax. Go beyond simply sleeping or watching T.V. Think of those times when you’re doing something and it feels like time melts away. Or those activities when you are pushing your body hard but your mind is experiencing every second of it. Relaxation does not have to mean stillness. Find out what works best for you. Time invested in meaningful relaxation will pay off double in increased productivity when it’s time to work.

#learntorelax