Top 5 Resources to Slow Down your Busy Day
U2 once said “Some days are better than others”. What happens when all your days feel pretty bad? What can we do to slow down our brain in the middle of a chaotic day?
I do have chaotic days both at the office and in my side business (on many occasions on the same day). Often, my brain reaches a state of oversaturation where I am forced to either stop all my activity or face having to re-do all my work because of the mistakes I make.
So I have complied a series of resources for myself that help me to center and rebalance while I’m surrounded by chaos. Here are my top 5:
1.- Make yourself some tea
There is something zen about drinking tea. It really doesn’t have to be any particular type of infusion. The idea is to get up, walk away from your desk and watch the bag soak in the hot water for a while. That and cooling down the tea will give you some precious minutes. Sometimes that’s all you need.
2.- Organize your workspace
Decide to stop doing what you’re doing and organize yourself happy. Getting your desk clutter free will keep you happier and even more productive. Besides that, it’s a good excuse to take a break and make you focus on something totally different.
3.- Go for a walk outside
If you are allowed, make up the excuse that you’re hungry and must get some food now and get out of the office. I work in front of a gas station so, sometimes, I just grab my wallet and go get myself a soda or a chocolate. I come back soon but just the act of changing the air for 10 minutes is enough to slow me down.
4.- Deliver those documents to the other side of the office or building, in person
Sometimes you’re not allowed or it is against your best judgment to leave the premises. In that case, you can always play the internal mailboy and deliver that envelope yourself or you can say that you must go pick up [fill in the blank] at some other department. It’s an elegant way to leave your desk and grab some other office’s air.
5.- Mini meditations
If your internet surfing is not tracked, these mini meditations are a favorite. I used to watch them using my noise-isolating buds. They work. Now all internet my activity is tracked at work but I can use them at home to unwind and refresh my brain. If you have ore than 1 minutes, try these meditations.
What are your favorite ways to slow down?
Posted: October 6th, 2009 under at work.
Tags: cubicle nation, happiness at the office, meditation, slow down, spiritual divas, surviving the office