Steal Time to RELAX

Your life is spent giving attention to others: Team members, children, spouse, family members, community volunteer efforts... You ‘know’ you are supposed to put your own oxygen mask on first and practice self care, but really, how can you find the time? 

As working women, we tend to think that rest and renewal are a waste of time—overindulgent. We need to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. We could be using relaxation time to make doctor’s appointments or tick more things off our list! Indeed, men are 35% more likely to take breaks than women. 

Also, when you are busy ‘doing things,’ it’s often your ‘girlfriend’ time that is cut first. Without our ‘girlfriend’ time, stress builds up. 

Here are 5 ways to find time to rest and renew: 

Schedule it
If you wait to find ‘extra’ time after you’ve completed all of your ‘to do’ items, you’ll never have down time. Schedule it in advance, and protect it fiercely. Start by scheduling just one deeply rejuvenating experience each week. Make a plan now for the next 3 months. It could be downtime or a ‘date with girlfriends.’ Even better if it’s one of each. In a study of the most busy management consultants, they were able to follow through scheduling one night off a week (AND they experienced greater work satisfaction and more productivity after doing so). 

Scale it Down
Don’t have 90 minutes to go to a yoga class, but want the calm and focus that comes from it? Learn quick fix strategies to find calm. For example, you could get the same calm and focus of a 90 minute yoga class in 3 minutes while sitting at your desk if you do Mental Reset breath (in which you inhale, hold, and exhale for equal counts such as 5 seconds, 5 seconds, 5 seconds) 

Steal It
You could ‘steal’ a few minutes each day from times you can’t be productive. For example, waiting in lines or waiting for public transport. Instead of zoning out and being annoyed, take 3-5 minutes to breathe deeply. Try to meditate for 5 minutes on the bus or train. In a meeting where part of it doesn’t relate to your work? Try doodling and let your mind run free. 

(Don’t) Squander it 
Start noticing where you might be wasting time or allowing others to waste your time, and problem solve those energy drains away. Do you ever waste time spinning your wheels? How could you plan ahead and decide priorities with your manager. When are you procrastinating, and how could you save all that wasted time for relaxation? How could you minimize your time around people who grate on your nerves? 

Suggest it
Leverage your natural talents to be an organizer and suggest ways you can relax and renew with others. Coordinate your ‘date night’ with girlfriends. Suggest that you and your child listen to soothing music as you put them to bed. Start meetings with a moment of reflection to get everyone grounded. 

As you start to enjoy the benefits of these mental, emotional, and physical vacations during your busy days, you will be even more motivated to find the time for rejuvenation. If you won’t be convinced for any other reason, then try this: How else will you sustain yourself for ALL the people who need you!

-Sharon Melnick, PhD, September 2015 Career Coach