Last summer, I wrote a piece about just how important it was for us to take downtime during the pandemic — even when we couldn’t go anywhere — and it was our most opened, liked and commented-on article of 2020. It resonated with so many of you that we decided to revisit it again one year later.
Thankfully, we’re in a much better place today (vacations are possible and happening for many), and boy, we earned it! Even if you can’t get away, we hope you can still take the time and space you need for mental and physical breaks.
Below is a list of tips and suggestions to help you create downtime for yourself, along with the rest of last year’s article. While the world is different this year, it’s just as tense — so making space for yourself is still more important than ever. We are privileged to live in the greatest nation, and if we could make it through 2020, we can get through just about anything. But first, we need to take good care of ourselves.
- Take short breaks. On busy days when I have a long to-do list, I use this tactic to keep me productive: I assign a time to tasks and set a timer; when the timer goes off — no matter where I am in the project — I stop. Then I start the timer again for 10 minutes and use that time to read, stretch, grab a snack — anything away from my computer and phone. I come back more focused to move on to the next task or complete the first one by setting my timer again. I do this all day. I get more done and I am more focused and creative, but I also feel like I had time for myself.
- Take days off. If you (like me) can’t get away this year because of all the unusual circumstances and concerns, take days off instead. Plan a day to do something or go somewhere new; change your environment and mentally detach for the day while stimulating your imagination.
- Take one evening a week off. Order takeout and eat al fresco, watch a movie, have a virtual happy hour, watch the sunset, etc. My daughter and I enjoy having ‘spa nights’ when we put on face masks, paint our nails, sip sparkling water and relax to Spotify spa music. Planning these nights in advance gives you something to look forward to which helps push you through the week.
- Consider working remotely, even if you already work remotely. Since March 2020, our team has been working from home. Every once in a while it’s nice to step away from my desk and take my laptop somewhere else to work. Sometimes it’s outside on the deck, and sometimes it’s at a local park. Changing your scenery does amazing things.
- Take walks in the woods. Nature is so restoring, and we’re lucky to have so many great local spots to safely visit in our community. If the woods aren’t your thing, any place where you are close to nature (a park, a beach, a garden) will still do wonders!
- Switch up your work day. If you’re able to get your work done at different times without affecting your team or clients, temporarily shifting around your hours to free up time to do something for yourself will help you feel rejuvenated. You don’t even have to leave home!
- Plan to rest. Taking a short nap can help reset an imbalance of hours working vs. hours sleeping. I’ve never been good at taking naps, but for those who are, they can be amazingly restorative. If you’re feeling low, structure your day to include an afternoon nap. Make sure you set an alarm but leave your computer and phone on silent. You’ll probably find it’s your most productive day of the week!
- Pursue a passion project or new hobby. This idea started when my kids switched to virtual learning in March. I wanted to have an activity for them when their school day ended that expanded all of our minds in a different way, and also spend a little time together before heading back into my home office and closing the door. We learned new recipes, tried science experiments, I taught them sign language, painted and took photos. We all looked forward to these ‘classes’ together that expanded our knowledge and gave us time away from work / school to switch our brains to something new. I can’t tell you how many creative ideas came to me while I was working on something out of the norm. Try it!
I hope I’ve convinced you — even inspired you — to take some time away, even if it’s just an afternoon cat nap or a day trip. Change your perspective and rest your brain; you will be amazed by how refocused you will feel.
If you need help gaining focus on where you should take your business, questions about marketing or design needs, let us know at 203-776-1323 or amy@elementsdesign.com
—Amy
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