Meetings, presentations, emails and client dinners, oh my! When you’re a smart executive, your life can revolve around work. Now, if that’s what you love, then there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But, at some point, you’ve got to let your mind disengage and your body relax so that you can remain rejuvenated. However, sometimes it’s just hard to find a time to do the things that keep you relaxed and centered, especially if you’re balancing work and family. That’s when you need to be proactive (just like you are with your career) and take charge of your own mental health! There are several ways you can make this happen.
Go to the gym during your lunch break. Bring your gym clothes and hop on the treadmill or elliptical machine for 45 minutes in the middle of the day. Not only are you doing something wonderful for your body, exercise has been proven to reduce depression and anxiety. While you may not be experiencing depression, your job comes with a lot of stress, which can create big anxieties. Run, lift weights or do yoga, just get your body moving and you’ll feel so much better when you get back to work.
Have the massage come to you. Who doesn’t love a great massage? The problem with massage therapy is getting to your therapist in the middle of the day. You’ve got to fight traffic to get there, near the end of the massage, you get nervous about your time management for the day, then you have to fight traffic on your way back. Why not just find a mobile massage therapist in your area who will come to you? No traffic, no time issues, just pure relaxation. Plus, you can book two sessions and offer a second as an incentive for one other lucky employee.
Have lunch with friends from outside of the office. Few things are better than times spent with great friends, but sometimes making evening plans just doesn’t work. That’s when you find time to have lunch during the week. You’ll be able to share stories, laugh and reconnect with friends. There aren’t many things that rejuvenate the soul like friends do.
Take a time out. Walk to a local park, lock yourself in your car and listen to music on your headphones, lock the office door and read an enjoyable book. Everyone's work experience is different. Ideally you'll be able to leave the office and find a few quiet minutes on your break. Even if you can't do that, you should try to find somewhere you can go to be alone for a few minutes and block the noise of your busy work day.
