by Aimee Wojtowecz
I’ve been hearing a lot from members lately about them being a little rundown, unmotivated or whatever you want to call it. This could be due to stress from work, family or just life in general, or maybe it’s the change in seasons. But when it comes to being productive and energized to get through your day, your body is just as important as your brain. If you don’t care for your body, you’ll have a hard time finding the motivation to get through your day. You’ll experience decreased energy and be more likely to feel sluggish and tired.
The best way to get back into your normal productive routine is to recharge your body. You’ll find it easier to tackle your work and workouts with motivation and you’ll be able to give your full attention to all of the pieces on your plate. While there are many ways you can recharge, here are three of the most popular ways.
Take a power nap.
A power nap is a short nap that enables you to wake up feeling refreshed. The trick with a power nap is the timing. If you don’t nap long enough, then you may feel groggy upon waking. If you nap too long, then you’ll have a tough time getting to sleep when it’s bedtime.
Many people find that the best length of a power nap is between fifteen and twenty minutes. For even better results, stick to a regular nap schedule. Most doctors advise taking your power nap in the middle of the day. This will allow you to get the benefits of a power nap without it wrecking your sleep cycle. If you like coffee/caffeine my personal favorite is to drink a cup of coffee and then immediately go take a nap. This way when you wake up in 20 minutes the caffeine is just hitting your brain and you feel fired up and ready to go!
Treat yourself to a massage.
Many people spend a significant part of their day in front of a computer. When you sit all day like this, it’s easy to overwork the muscles in your neck and shoulders. That’s why it can be helpful to get a shoulder or neck massage.
Besides helping your muscles, a massage is an excellent way to increase your blood circulation and getting one will make you feel more alert. It’s also helpful if you suffer from chronic pain due to a medical condition like fibromyalgia or arthritis. You can opt for a day trip to the local spa or you could find a massage therapist online through a website like American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).
Go on a mini retreat.
A retreat is a chance to withdraw from everything around you. It gives you the space to reflect on your priorities and sort through your emotions. A mini retreat might be just what your body needs if you’ve been experiencing a difficult time such as the diagnosis of an illness, the loss of a loved one, or another catastrophe.
Your mini retreat doesn’t have to last long. You can choose to have your own private retreat for just a few hours. Try to pick a place or a series of places that you can go where you feel safe and comfortable. For some people, a safe place might be a library, church, or museum.
Bonus Tip!
Journal Your Thoughts
Sometimes just organizing what’s going on in your brain can be helpful! Have you ever tried journaling? This doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated or take 30 minutes a day but just ask yourself a few questions:
1. What are some warning signs that you’re about to burnout?
2. What’s your favorite way to re-charge?
3. How often do you schedule time to re-charge? If you don’t, how can you work ‘recharge time’ into your day?
Remember that in many ways your body is like your car. It can get you to your destination with duct tape if it has to but it does need regular care and maintenance in order to operate well. What are some activities that will recharge you and prevent burnout? Or even better, what brings you joy and how can you get more of that in your life?