Habit 3: Block Time to Relax from The “Habits for Well-Being” Series
Time Blocking
Do you ever feel like there’s not enough time to complete everything in the day? You may be tempted to try and squeeze more into your already packed schedule, but this can lead to burnout. A better approach to your “Time Blocking” is to include some time for relaxation.
This strategy involves carving out small chunks of time throughout the day dedicated solely to rest and rejuvenation. This could mean taking a few minutes here or there to take a walk, meditate, read a book, or listen to music—anything that helps you relax and refresh your mind and body. By setting aside specific times during the day for relaxation, you’re creating an opportunity to re-energize yourself so that you’ll have renewed focus and energy when it comes time to tackle tasks again.
One way to do this is the Pomodoro Technique. There are a zillion pieces (3.5MM results in a google search to be exact) of content out there promoting this technique. I’ll be honest. I find 25 minutes too short to focus on anything unless it is a small task. I fully support breaking your work into manageable chunks, with a break following the focus before you move on to the next task or re-engaging with renewed energy on the same task. I find 50 minutes to be the right amount of focus time. Even when tackling small tasks, I find 50 minutes to be perfect for plowing through multiple small tasks and then taking a break for 5-10 minutes.
The “WHY”
- Increased focus and productivity.
- Improved mental clarity and creativity.
- Reduced stress levels and improved mood.
- Feel more relaxed and energized throughout the day.
- Improved overall well-being!
Take it to the next level.
These short breaks during your day will keep it flowing and productive, but you also need to create larger blocks each week, each month, and each year specific to relaxation, planning, and energizing.
Focus on the “me time” and “family time” areas often lacking in your day-to-day when planning these larger time blocks. This can be done by engaging in activities such as:
- Get Social! – Spend time with friends or family for an uplifting boost of energy.
- Get Active! – Get some exercise, such as going for a bike ride, hiking, swimming, or playing tennis, to help get rid of stress and fatigue from the week and to help you feel more energized. Do this with friends and/or family to complete two JOYs with one action.
- Get Creative! – Do something creative like painting, photography, cooking, or crafting which can be a great way to relax while also energizing your mind and body.
- Get Adventurous! – Go out and explore a new place in your area or take a short road trip to help spark creativity and motivation.
- Get Organized! – at home or work so that things are tidy, and it helps reduce stress levels, ultimately making you feel more energized in the long run!
It is essential to schedule regular times for relaxation and self-care in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Time blocking can help you do this, whether it’s through the Pomodoro Technique or by carving out specific chunks of time throughout your day dedicated solely for rest and rejuvenation. Doing so will increase your focus and productivity, improve mental clarity and creativity, reduce stress levels, elevate moods, as well as enhance overall well-being. Taking it one step further by engaging in activities such as getting social with friends or family; exercising; creating something creative like painting or cooking; exploring new places; or organizing at home or work are all great ways to make sure that you’re taking care of yourself while also recharging both mentally and physically.
Ready, Set, TIME-OUT!