HealthyLife Articles

Tag: recharge

  • Why You Need A Vacation

    WORK LIFE

    Couple holding hands running into the ocean.

    If your time off is accruing year after year, you might be missing out on one of the secrets to being a good employee.

    It’s time to take a vacation! While many people are reluctant to be away from their jobs, a vacation can make you a better employee.

    Vacations are refreshing

    A week off can leave you feeling rested and energized. You’ll be ready to dive into work with renewed vigor.

    Good for mental health

    Taking a break from your daily routine allows your mind to let go of stress and anxiety. When you return to work, you might find you have a better mental outlook.

    Increase productivity

    Studies have shown that people who take regular vacations are more productive when they return. Time away might be just what you need to become even better at your job.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Seek Downtime Daily 2

    SleepWell® Program

    Week 4

    Image of man sitting on couch.

    Downtime is idle time between activities. Examples are the moments you have waiting at a red light, the time spent riding in an elevator, and the extra time during a lunch break.

    Idle time allows your brain to rest and process and store information (how you learn and form memories). If you’ve ever had a great idea come to you in the shower, you know how creative your mind is during this time.

    Often, multi-tasking steals this time away. The resulting “addiction to activity” does not let your mind rest during the day. The result can be a feeling of being busy all the time. You may feel like you need “time to think.” If you go all day without downtime, it can be harder to quiet your mind at night and go to sleep.

    Practice letting your mind rest every day. If you are used to filling your time with multiple tasks at once, the following exercise may be eye-opening!

    Try this: Sit in a room for 15 minutes and do nothing. Don’t look at your phone or seek any other distractions. Let thoughts enter your mind.

    Reflect:

    How did you feel at the end of 15 minutes?

    Natural Ways to Include Downtime Daily

    *  Turn off notifications on your phone. Set aside time for social media during the day-and avoid it at other times.

    *  Listen to music instead of the news or talk radio while driving. Or, sit in silence and let your mind wander.

    *  Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to take five minutes of “blank space” time in your day.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Seek Downtime Daily

    Healthylife® Weigh

    Part 6

    Women on park bench reading and drinking coffee.

    Downtime is idle time between activities. Examples are the moments you have waiting at a red light, the time spent riding in an elevator, or the extra time you have during a lunch break.

    Idle time allows your brain to rest, process, and store information (how you learn and form memories). If you’ve ever had a great idea come to you in the shower, you know how creative your mind is during this time. Appreciate downtime to reduce feelings of boredom.

    Often, multi-tasking or a feeling that you must always be doing something steals this time away. The resulting “addiction to activity” does not let your mind rest during the day. The result can be a feeling of being busy all the time. You may feel like you need “time to think.” If you go all day without downtime, it can be harder to quiet your mind at night and go to sleep.

    Practice letting your mind rest every day. If you are used to filling   your time with multiple tasks at once, the following exercise may be  eye-opening!

    Try This: Sit in a room or outside for 15 minutes and do nothing. Don’t look at your phone or seek any other distractions. Let thoughts enter your mind.

    Reflect: How did you feel at the end of 15 minutes?

    Ways to Include Downtime Daily

    *  Turn off notifications on your phone. Set aside time for social media during the day-and avoid it at other times.

    *  Listen to music instead of the news or talk radio while driving. Or, sit in silence and let your mind wander.

    *  Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to take at least five minutes of “blank space” time during your day.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • How To Make The Most Of Your Lunch Break

    WORK LIFE

    Image of co-workers having lunch.

    It can be tempting to skip your lunch break if you’re swamped. But taking a midday break can renew your energy and productivity through the afternoon and into the evening. Try these tips to make the most of your break:

    *Plan your afternoon.If you’re stressed about work, make a quick list of what you want to accomplish. If there’s too much to do and not enough time, determine which things are top priority and which can wait.

    *Get up from your workspace.A change of scenery can refresh you, even if it’s only for a few minutes. Staying in the same place all day can leave you feeling burned out.

    *Stop thinking about work.Take a few moments, if you can, to take a deep breath and do something you enjoy. That might be listening to a song, a quick walk outside, or having lunch with a friend.

    Lunch break naps: good or bad?

    If you get a 30 or 60 minute lunch break, should you nap during this time? The National Sleep Foundation says you can consider it. Be sure you:

    *  Keep the midday nap to 20 minutes or less.

    *  Keep it early in the day. Late afternoon or early evening naps could make it hard to fall asleep at night.

    If you find that napping interferes with your nighttime sleep, skip it. It’s more important to get good sleep at night.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine