The math is simple. The more you work, the more money you make. True, it can have a diminishing effect, but nonetheless, this is true. Or you’re not concerned about money – you simply want to work because you enjoy it so much. Whatever your reason for working more, this post will help you do that.
So why are we talking about relaxing when the goal is for you to work more. Simply… because we all need to relax in order to be our most productive. But what is the best way to relax? The best way to relax is whatever way gets us back to work in the fastest amount of time. Some people say they work hard and play hard. That makes sense. This is the goal for this goal: to help you find out how to play hard so you can get back to working hard. And, TV is not included on this list. It’s obviously not that effective since the average American watches about 4 hours of TV per day. Anything that takes 4 hours to work is not effective. Let’s get going:
Fast Ways to Decompress (TV NOT Included!)
Getting a Massage
A 30-minute massages will give you so much more energy than watching a 30-minute sitcom. And yes, right after the massage you’ll likely be so relaxed you won’t want to work. But you’ll be much more energized for work the following day. You’ll be able to sit at a desk longer without pain, your body will let you forget about it so you can focus on work… getting a massage is a stress reliever everyone should consider.
Spending Time with Friends
Spending time with friends is a sure way to get is an improved mood. Next time you’re feeling stressed at work, call up a friend. Or invite them over for dinner. Neither of these things take much time but both are a great way for you to focus on your friend and forget about work for a little while. And keep in mind that networking is fantastic for business as well. If you’re always working and brush off networking, it may come back to bite you in the form of missed opportunities.
Going on Vacations
Sometimes completely getting away is the bet way to relax. Consider taking vacations for not only the benefit of yourself but the benefit of your business. We all know why vacations are relaxing. So I want to touch on why vacations are good for your business for a moment.
A vacation forces you to see things from a new perspective. This may breathe new ideas into your business. And when on vacation, you’re constantly meeting new people. One of the first things someone says to you on a plane is, “What do you do for work?” This can be the start of a lifelong business relationship right then and there.
I also know of many people who work harder because they know their next vacation is just around the corner. It’s sort of a prize for them. They know the vacation is coming and if they want to fully relax, they’d better get their work done.
This next point may be surprising to you. But vacations are also smart because they force you to get help. If you run your own business, you may like doing everything yourself. But if you do everything yourself – you don’t have a business – you have a job. Though when you know you’ll be stepping away from the office for a vacation, you’re forced to get an employee.
Exercising
Exercise has an amazing ability to whip our brains back into shape. Consider incorporating exercise into your daily routine. Maybe soon you’ll become one of those people who wakes up at 5 AM and still has tons of energy left at 5 PM.
Napping
Many famous people have sworn by napping. Even powerful men such as Winston Churchill took frequent naps. Sometimes a mid-day nap can give you a boost of energy so great, you won’t even need to sleep 8 hours each night. Try it and you may find it relaxing and rewarding.
Grabbing a Snack
Food is not only good for our bodies but good for our brains. Enjoy healthy snacks throughout the day. You will keep your blood sugar levels much more stable which will boost your energy. And when it comes to meal times, you won’t be incredibly hungry. This means you won’t be tempted to quickly microwave a burrito or to skip your veggies because you are dying for something substantial.
Remind Yourself Why You Want to Work so Much
Sometimes simply reminding yourself why you want to work so much can put you in the right mindset to get back to work. People do this in a variety of ways. Some people write notes to themselves and reference them each day. I even read a book once where the author knew a man who kept a photo of his ex-wife in his top desk drawer. When he was feeling unmotivated, he pulled out her picture, got angry, and went back to work. The best revenge is a life well lived.
How will you speedily decompress?
