Do You Know Where Your Pause Button Is?

Are you getting caught up in the pre-festival frenzy?  Did you start out very organised and resolved not to be caught out this year yet somehow find yourself speeding up as the days go on? Do you feel like you’re stuck on fast forward?

If the answer is yes, perhaps it’s time to press pause.

Stop

There was a fascinating item on BBC radio a while back about mindfulness. Apparently people who practice mindfulness are a much harder bunch for advertisers to sell to (they can be less stressed all round, see this post). Or rather they were able to resist more effectively the intense pressure of advertising than other groups. They didn’t need so many things to feel content. So here’s a very short mindfulness type exercise which won’t eat into your day but may reduce your stress levels and act like your own internal pause button during these busy weeks.

The Press Pause Exercise

Each hour has 60 minutes. Choose one of those sixty minutes and do the following:

Pause in whatever you are doing (in safety-obviously!). If possible lower or close your eyes.  Become aware of just what your body is doing. Notice if your feet are on the ground, hooked round a chair, if you have crossed legs, etcetera? Now pay attention to your torso. How are you holding yourself, are you able to breathe as well as you can?

Now notice your breathing. How are you breathing? Just take notice, don’t change it (although almost inevitably just being aware will slow your breathing).

Notice how you actually feel. Don’t judge, just notice what your feelings are, become conscious of your emotions.

And finally, when convenient for you, breathe out one breath for a slightly longer time than normal. Just one.

Open your eyes.

Smile.

Press go.

Photo credit: M Kranz

Are You The Boss You’d Like?

Well, are you?

If you were your own boss (and maybe you are, as I am) would people be queuing up to get in your team based on how you treat yourself?

Try honestly answering the following questions:

Do you treat yourself well? By which I mean do you look after yourself when working?

Do you take regular breaks? Grab some fresh air at least once a day?

Do you have a proper lunch break away from your desk/workplace at least three times a week?

Do you regularly praise yourself for a job well done?

Do you celebrate your successes?

Do you invest in yourself, take advantage of training on offer?

I hope you can answer yes to a good few of those. if not, time to give yourself an appraisal! Got to dash. the sun is shining and I’m going into the garden for 15 minutes!

Please share your ‘look after yourself’ tips!

Photo Credit: Arte Ram

Need a Break? Check out these questions.

How many of the following questions do you answer YES to?

• Do you feel you don’t have enough time for yourself, doing what you want to do?
• Do you often find yourself getting to the end of the week and wondering where all the time went?
• Do you frequently work through your lunch break, or grab a sandwich while skimming emails?
• Do you rarely leave the office on time at the end of the day?
• Do you take work home with you on a regular basis?
• Is your mind always buzzing? Do you find it difficult to switch off?
• Do you panic if you leave your phone at home/work and are without it for even short periods of time?
• Do you think you could be doing something different if only you had more time to think about it?
• Do you think life is passing by too quickly?
• Do you sometimes feel really lacking in confidence? Does it hold you back from doing new things?
• Do you have a feeling that there is something better out there but don’t know what the ‘something’ is?

If you answered yes to more than 5 of those questions it’s probably time time for you to stop and take stock. At worst you are heading for burn out and at best you may be pedalling furiously but not going in the best direction for you.

I didn’t actually make up those questions; they are all a variation of the reasons given to me by women for coming on my RenewYou day. I’ve been there too. For a period of my life I was so busy being busy that I didn’t have time to listen to the intermittent nagging voice in my head saying ‘Is this it?’

Sometimes we’re just so taken up with the grind of the day job, giving our all at work and home that we don’t take time to stand still and really think about what it is we’re doing. We are buffetted by events and react, rather than taking control. Once I took some serious time out to consider what it was I really wanted it helped me set about taking back control; in fact, over the course of a year I totally changed my life.

Scared?

I know sometimes it can feel totally overwhelming, and to be honest, quite scary. I was scared. But I was excited and enthused too! And, as soon as I had begun following my plan, directing my life, my energy levels went up, my health improved, and I had more time to do the things that were important to me. I just needed to give myself some time and space to work out what I really wanted.

It’s why, when I designed RenewYou, I made sure that there was plenty of thinking and reflecting time built into the day, and why I always choose a venue with some nice outdoor space. It’s great to spend some time walking and thinking. Deep inside we usually know our answers, and the thought provoking exercises, support and encouragement of a day spent renewing yourself helps you find them.

So, if you ticked more than 5, I urge you to take a bit of time to yourself and think about how you are spending your precious life. I still do it every year – make time for my own personal development and run a mini audit on myself. Whether you choose a course, a book, a coach, or simply find time to reflect yourself, make sure you do it! And do it soon!

Photo Credit: Watford

How to Use Your Lunch Break Effectively!

Taking your full lunch break can be one of the most productive things you can do! You will work all the better for it (assuming you don’t spend it drinking alcohol and eating masses of high carbohydrate food; then you’ll fall asleep!)

Tips for Great Lunch Break

• Avoid the rush and take it before or after peak hours.
• Meet a friend and don’t talk work.
• Go and give blood – you’ll feel very altruistic.
• Try a short power nap, or siesta, but preferably not at desk…
• Go to local library and browse.
• Once a week use it to learn something new-Spanish?
• Get outside in the fresh air, a park if possible.
• Go window shopping.
• Walk around local area as a tourist and look up. It’s amazing what you can see on buildings!

What has been the best lunch break you have ever had?

Relax, Relax, Relax!

The week end is nearly upon us and what have you got planned? Of course, having a fire-fighter husband I am very aware that a significant proportion of you will be working;  if you are working in one of our essential services -THANK YOU!

Wherever you are working you will have some free time at some point. How much of that time is yours as true leisure? How many of you have planned out this week end full of activities, shopping, visiting friends and family, housework etc?

We’re all ‘guilty’ of filling our time, packing in masses of activity, particularly at this time of the year. But remember that you need to recharge those batteries from time to time too. So, even if just for a thirty minutes or so but preferably an hour at least, take a bit of time out for yourself. Do whatever it is that recharges your battery. It’s not self indulgence-it’s essential maintenance!