The winter weather is draining. Your schedule is demanding and you are wearing down. The weather here in the Northeast has been beastly. Snow, more snow and snow on top of that. Temperatures in the teens during the day and below zero at night week after week can be draining. When you add this to your already demanding schedules, no wonder you are worn down. It is time to take a break!
Not everyone can take a few days off or even a long weekend to re-energize, so get creative to recharge. Some simple, everyday things can be the easiest way to feel better. I’ll share some of my favorites and some shared by my clients:
- If you have a pet, take a pet break. Today, while I was answering email before writing this blog post, Buddy, my half Chihuahua/Jack Russell, came up to me. Usually, I tell him to go lie down while I’m working. But today, I needed a break so I stopped to pick him up. He sat on my lap for a few minutes while I pet him. Fifteen minutes and we both felt so much better. Petting our furry friends is calming and relaxing.
- Dance. Put on your favorite music and dance like no one is watching. (Probably no one is) You’ll release endorphins, get some exercise and feel energized.
- Have a cup of tea. Making tea can be a ritual in itself. There are so many speciality teas and beautiful teapots. Drink it mindfully, sipping slowly and really enjoying it.
- If tea isn’t your thing, make a cup of decadent hot cocoa, using premium dark chocolate cocoa. Put your feet up and really savor the richness.
- Plan a vacation. Even if you cannot go, a study done in the Netherlands showed the act of planning causes the largest boost in happiness. So choose a destination you would love to visit… a tropical island, Tuscany, London. Remember, it’s the planning that’s the important part, not whether you actually go.
As you can see, all of these mini-breaks are free or very inexpensive. So take a time out and take a break. Recharge your batteries. Get through the winter doldrums with more energy and excitement. Share with us your best break idea.