How to force yourself to rest and not think about work
Miscellaneous / / October 25, 2021
Pull away from your smartphone and pet the dog.
Keeping a balance between work and free time can be difficult - especially for those who are fixated on achievement and productivity. Clinical psychologist Perpetua Neo shared tips that will help you train yourself to rest instead of spending a little more time on work.
1. Do what you really like
Leisure usually refers to the time spent with friends, watching movies and TV series, and walking. It can be helpful to review these activities to see if everything suits you.
For example, think about it: are you watching a show because you like it or teach you something, or just want something in the background? There is a second, perhaps it is worth looking for something that will be really interesting and useful - and that can then be discussed at dinner. Likewise, you should look at the activity outside the home: you may not like walking so much, but jogging is what you need.
Friends, too, are not always equally close. Perhaps, out of habit, you are communicating with a person with whom you would not start a friendship now. And that's okay - just make sure you still feel comfortable with him and that the time does not suck the energy out of you.
2. Adapt your vacation to your pace of life
If you're not good at being patient (or just starting to give yourself some free time), a 6-hour party with friends can sound like a big waste of time. But you can always agree that you will only come for two hours. Likewise, instead of driving to someone's home, you can always suggest taking a walk and chatting instead of sitting on the couch for 45 minutes.
3. Combine relaxation and development
And no, it's not about self-development and other productive things (which we clearly want to avoid during rest). Turn to activities that make you feel like your skills are improving, such as baking beautiful bread or painting a more complex picture by numbers. The main thing is that you yourself feel progress and joy from it.
4. Try a forced vacation
Neo notes: “Even though I can easily leave the phone alone, my inner voice still whispers that I can pick it up and do something useful. But sometimes it is impossible to do this - for example, when I am at a massage or at a beautician. Therefore, I regularly sign up for these procedures to ensure that I stay away from the phone. " Likewise, you might think about situations in which you simply have to do nothing - and adjust them in advance from time to time.
Another piece of advice that a psychologist often gives his patients is to join forces with friends who like to command and decide everything for you. Ask them, if possible, to organize leisure for you and take you out of the house - and try not to refuse such meetings if you are not busy with something serious. This is not suitable for everyone, but it is definitely worth a try.
5. Think about what makes you smile
Even the most notorious workaholic has his own "weaknesses" - things that make it impossible to restrain a smile. It can be a dog falling asleep in a funny pose, a cat that runs towards you when you come home, or joy on the face of a child. Do not deny yourself such pleasures - and now you do not just go for a walk, but go to the park to watch the playing animals. Double motivation!
We are all different, but everyone can accustom themselves to rest and enjoy it. It is enough to take the first steps - and, perhaps, after a couple of evenings in the company, you will understand that you like it much more than sitting at home at the computer.
Read also🧐
- How to rest so as not to get tired even more
- How to take a break during a break so that you can work more productively
- Mental rest: why is it needed and how to arrange it
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