At a recent networking event a colleague and I started a conversation on the importance of taking an “adult time out.” She had just returned from a trip and was discussing all of the ways in which she felt rejuvenated.
Time away, not only from the office, but the routine of daily life. A true disconnect and the chance to simply live life in the moment.
We began to compare notes on a few of the benefits when taking a holiday:
-rest and relaxation nourishes our physical self (better sleep)
-reconnect with family and friends
-stimulates a sense of adventure
-gives us permission to step outside our comfort zone
-resets our core values
-creates an opportunity to just “have fun”
It changes our perspective and initiates a feel good experience whether we’ve been away for a long weekend, a week or an extended stay.
We cross referenced this list with the advantages when returning to “work”:
-increased productivity
-creative problem soling
-empathy for coworkers…to name a few.
We then conducted an informal poll, asking people if they enjoyed the same benefits if they simply took a day off. The answer was… yes, most people feel that just taking a break from our regular routine is a great way to recharge our batteries.
The stress that accumulates throughout the workweek seems to disappear, especially if we take an extra day around the weekend. We heard comments like: “I just need a break from the routine”,
“I love my job, but sometimes its just too stressful”, “I feel so much better after I’ve had a little time off.”
I sometimes think that we just take life too seriously, putting pressure on ourselves with unreasonable demands that start at the office and then spill over into our private life.
Here is a personal challenge!
What if…we simply did things a little differently each day.
Instead of doing your morning walk, how about yoga?
Buy your coffee at another location on the way to work.
Park your car further away from the door and enjoy a brisk walk.
Take something different in your lunch.
Instead of e-mailing a colleague in the office, meet them for coffee.
Take the challenge!
For one week, change a number of smaller things in your routine to see if the old saying is true “a change is as good as a rest” and provide your comments on how you feel the following week.
Do you feel less stressed?
Did you enjoy, exploring new opportunities?
Was the experiment worth the effort?
We are interested in hearing if you too feel that small incremental changes contributes to your overall wellbeing.
Who knows…giving yourself permission to take an adult time out may lead to new possibilities and at the very least recharging our batteries provides a new perspective.
We look forward to hearing from you!