Relaxing ideas
Unwinding in the middle of the day is not always at the top of our priority list – but when you do take time step back and think about yourself and your health, you'll be glad you did. Our tips can help.
Breathe
If you're feeling stressed, check your breathing. Are you holding your breath? Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and relax. You'll feel much better after a few deep breaths.
Stretch
If you spend most of your time sitting at a desk, it's good to get up and stretch at least once an hour. Set a reminder on your electronic calendar, or put a note of the side of your monitor to remind yourself to get up and stretch. Just one or two minutes stretching can give you more energy and help you refocus.
Prioritize
If you have a lot of things to do during your day, make a list of all your tasks first thing in the morning. Take the list and prioritize your tasks. Once you know what you need to do and when you need to do it, you can get back time that you'd spend wondering what it was that you were supposed to be doing.
Set (realistic) goals
It your to-do list is too long, you may be unrealistic about what you can accomplish in one day. Study your list and see if you can space the tasks out over several days. Breaking up tasks into smaller bites makes it more likely that you'll be able to accomplish everything and do it with ease.
Schedule a break
When you have a really busy day, make sure that you schedule in some time for yourself. Whether that means making time to workout, read a chapter in a book, or get a haircut, taking the time to take care of yourself allows you to recharge so that you can do everything else in your busy day.
Call a loved one
Taking time to speak with someone you care about is a great way to slow down. Make sure you get rid of distractions before you call - turn off the electronics, and stop driving or walking. Call them when you can really focus on the conversation and reconnect.
Take time to eat properly
Getting the right nutrients in your diet doesn't have to be a pain. For example, morning toast spread with margarine containing essential nutrients can also help support mental development. And three cups of tea can contain up to 50mg theanine, a substance known to stimulate alpha brain waves which are associated with being relaxed yet alert.
