The Importance of Taking it Easy
Mar 15
So I’ve been reading a book called The Power of Full Engagement
And that makes sense, right? Just like your body needs sleep – a break from being awake -, it also needs relaxation – a break from being active. We all know this, even if we don’t live that way.
And that’s my problem.
I was reading along: ‘yeah, yeah, yeah.’ *nods*.
But I wasn’t applying what it was saying to my life.
So much so that, on Monday, I actually got carted off to the doctors because I’m too stressed.
Literally.
And do you know what the doctor prescribed?
Amongst other things, relaxation. She said I need to spend time just on me, with no interruptions, just doing things I enjoy.
Instead of trying to be productive from when I wake up to when I go to sleep, I need to set some time aside to just be. That’ll not only make me happier and calmer, but it’ll mean that, when I am working, I’ll be more rested, so I’ll work better. Win-win.
So I started wondering when I could schedule in my relaxation time.
But then I remembered that I’ve already started taking weekends off. I go to the cinema, watch programmes, and faff around with smaller jobs. Surely I can’t take even more time off? Surely weekends are already relaxation time?
But THEN I got it.
When I’m alone, I’m working. When I’m with other people, I’m having fun.
I’m never on my own relaxing or having fun.
When I’m trying to have some downtime, I’m always with my girlfriend or family or friends. And while I enjoy that, it means that I’m always on the go. When you’re around other people, you have to consider how what you’re doing affects them, respond to them, or, at the very least, acknowledge them. You still have to be alert and aware.
So I’m never just me doing nothing.
Apart from when I’m asleep, I never let myself stop and just be. And being on the go all the time means that my body never gets a chance to recover and build itself up again.
I’m going to try to have some downtime on my own from now on.
Last night, I stopped working at about 8pm, and just watched some easy-to-watch programmes. By the time I went to bed, I was feeling quite calm, and my to do list was no longer darting through my mind, stressing me out.
I don’t know how well this will work out for me, but it can’t hurt to try. It certainly makes sense.
How often do you completely switch off?
Really think about what you did yesterday, and what you’ve done today, and work out how much of that time you spent truly relaxing on your own. Be honest with yourself.
If it’s less than an hour or two, you know what to do.
Oh, and I’ve made this post slightly shorter than normal, so why not use the extra time to read a book, just lie down and think, or play with a pet? Relax.
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Simple, yet very valuable, Jo :)and great timing too. I really overwhelmed myself emotionally last night with all that I’ve been doing, from when I wake up to when I finally go to bed, in hopes of being productive. It’s good to be mindful before things get really out of hand. I think your most valuable insight here is having down time ALONE. And I suppose that doesn’t include messing about on Facebook! I also believe needing alone time to relax is part of having an introverted personality because any social contact, however nice it may be, can be a bit draining for us. So it’s really good that you pointed out that we should relax and have me-time. I think some other suggestions for how to spend that time could include guided relaxation exercises or getting a massage. Perhaps you can do a series, like your usual ones, on relaxation blogs? :)
p.s. hope you recover soon! :)
I’m glad it was timely! I debated whether or not to post it because it did seem quite simple. I guess a lot of the time simple is all we need.
And that’s a good point about being an introvert – I hadn’t thought of that.
About your suggestion: I’m not 100% sure I get what you mean. Do you mean like a post with lots of links/suggestions for relaxing?
Thank you for commenting again :-) I love that you always make me think things through a bit further!
Yup! That’s exactly what I meant! :)
Hi Jo! :) I think you’re right that sometimes simple is best. I’ve been running around worrying about school and friends all week, and have had no me-time. This post has reminded me just how important that is. Sorry to hear you’re stressed but thank you for feeling comfortable enough to share that with us. I find it really helpful when you share examples from your own life. Thanks again and hope you feel better soon :)
So glad it was useful :-) I hope you take this week a bit easier!
Definitely good advice. Just Be. It’s so hard to do in practice. You actually have to work hard at relaxing. Sounds oxymoronic huh?
You literally have to set aside time in your schedule for your “nothing at 4pm” appointment.
Definitely agree!
Since I’ve started trying to relax more, I’ve realised just how hard it is. It is SO hard! If I plan my day, and there’s an hour left at the end (I mean, just one hour!), I really struggle not to plan something in for it. It’s a work in progress!
It’s ok. There is no rule book on life. Life is a work in progress.
It’s funny, because the older I get, the more I realized that there isn’t one right way to do things.
I’ll hear 2 items from different folks and they’ll both work.
Example in business: You should charge lower prices and sell to more folks. (It works, look at Wal-Mart and such)
Or
You should charge extremely high prices and only work with high end customers (which of course also works).
Work – In – Progress :)
I like this :-) I’m gradually realising something similar. As a kid, I always thought they one day you were ‘sorted’, and that that’s when you started having kids etc. Couldn’t have been more wrong!
Exactly!
The older I get, I’ve found that you’re NEVER truly ready for children (or most aren’t). And just like life, there is no rule book for children.
PS – I wonder how tiny we can make these replies? ;)
Haha! Yesterday I discovered a whole new load blogs, and they’re all gorgeous. I was getting kind of :(, comparing mine to them, but I think I’ve realised that I just am sillier and more childish than most people my age, and so that my little cartoon people fit in quite well. Here’s to being like a child!