Sunday 30 December 2012

My New Year’s Resolution: Learning the Art of R&R

I have to be honest. I had a hard time relaxing over the holidays this year. My body may have been physically visiting with my family, but my mind certainly wasn’t there! And believe me I tried! I’m finding that there’s no on and off switch for an author. Our office, our playground is in our heads 24/7. And I know I’m not alone. Did you know that regular relaxation is essential for a long life and personal effectiveness? Well, duh, that makes sense! So here are some techniques for relaxing physically that I scored from time management guru Brian Tracy:

Take time off every week: First of all, work only five or six days per week, and rest completely on the seventh day. Every single study in this area shows that you will be far more productive in the five or six days that you work if you take one or two days off completely than you ever would be if you worked straight through for seven days.

Get your mind busy elsewhere: During this time off, do not catch up on reports, organize your desk, or do anything else that requires mental effort. Simply let your mind relax completely, and get busy doing things with your family and friends. Maybe work around the house, go for a walk, engage in physical exercise, watch television, go to a movie, or play with your children. Whatever you do, discipline yourself to shut your mental gears off completely for at least one 24-hour period every seven days.

Get away on mini-vacations: Second, take one three-day vacation every three months, and during that time, refrain from doing any work. Do not attempt to catch up on even a few small things. If you do, you keep your mental gears in motion, and you end up neither resting nor properly doing work of any quality.

Take big chunks of down time: Third, take at least two full weeks off each year during which you do nothing that is work-related. You can either work or relax; you cannot do both. If you attempt to do a little work while you are on vacation, you never give your mental and emotional batteries a chance to recharge. You'll come back from your vacation just as tired as you were when you left.

Give yourself a break today: If you are involved in a difficult relationship, or situation at work that is emotionally draining, discipline yourself to take a complete break from it at least one day per week. Put the concern out of your mind. Refuse to think about it. Don't continually discuss it, make telephone calls about it or mull it over in your mind. You cannot perform at your best mentally if you are emotionally preoccupied with a person or situation. You have to give yourself a break.

Go for a walk in nature: Since a change is as good as a rest, going for a nice long walk is a wonderful way to relax emotionally and mentally. As you put your physical body into motion, your thoughts and feelings seem to relax all by themselves.

Eat lighter foods: Also, remember that the process of digestion consumes an enormous amount of physical energy. Therefore, if you eat lighter foods, you will feel better and more refreshed afterward. If you eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain products, your digestive system will require far less energy to process them.

Be good to yourself: Since your diet has such an impact on your level of physical energy, and through it your levels of mental and emotional energy, the more fastidious you are about what you put into your mouth, the better you will feel and the more productive you will be. We know now that foods high in fat, sugar, or salt are not good for your body. The lighter the foods you eat, the more energy you have.

Wishing all my readers a safe, prosperous, blessed, and Happy New Year this 2013! Cheers, all!

14 comments:

  1. Great ideas from Mr. Brian! Hoping you'll pay attention - there you are, supposedly relaxing in a comfy hammock, reading your book! And is that a teeny tiny scowl on your face? You're probably thinking, "Crap, I should have rephrased this sentence" instead of relaxing!!!!

    Happy New Year to you, Mizz Sharon! Hope everything that has been coming up roses continues to do just that in 2013!

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    1. No scowl, my friend, just squinting because I don't have sun glasses on! Wishing you all the best in 2013, Cathy! Get R Done!

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  2. Nice to see you relaxing with a good book :) Yes, down time is crucial as is eating healthy food to keep up spirits and health. Have a great New Years, Sharon. Here's looking to a great 2013!

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  3. I'm going to fit some time in in the upcoming year to catch up on some great books. What better way to relax than to time travel or visit another world.

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  4. Amen and Happy New Year to you! Wishing you all the best in the coming year!

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  5. Thank you, Clarissa, Rita, and Alan, for taking the time to surf by before heading out to your New Year parties! Enjoy, and remember to time travel responsibly! Wink! Happy New Year!

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  6. I will be good and watch what goes into my mouth tomorrow after I have finished this slice of Christmas cake and new year bubbly. Happy New Year Sharon - Loved the advice
    Susan

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    1. You and me both, Susan! Enjoy your last indulgences! Cheers!

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  7. You are absolutely right, Sharon, as you always are. I hope you can take some time to relax, but get busy when you need to, when that idea comes and you just have to write it down, when those characters are talking to you in your head and you know you need to answer them and record what they're saying. Wishing you the best year ever in 2013.

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    1. I hear ya, Michael! No, wait - that was a character's voice talking to me! Thanks for surfing by, wishing you an awesome year in 2013 too! Salute!

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  8. A wonderful reminder to slow down. I was thinking to schedule down time now for the whole of 2013. Otherwise, I just don't do it. Thanks again for the reminder!

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    1. Anytime, Beth! I need to do that too! Wishing you the best in 2013!

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  9. Oh, yes! I like all of these suggestions, Sharon. I wonder if I eat lighter food, it will make me lighter, too? Wouldn't that be nice. :-)

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    1. We can only hope, Amaleen! Have yourself a spectacular New Year this 2013!

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