I am a pretty high strung person by nature. I am a type A, OCD, organized freak who is not good with change, plans getting canceled or interruptions. One of the great things about the days I work from home is that I have an entire extra hour in the morning. I don’t feel the need to wear a cute outfit, put on makeup or scramble to get out the door by 8:20 CST. I still wake up at the same time and I TRY to take that extra hour to go for a walk and clear my head. I ask myself often why there is a need to relax….
This is good for me because it gives me a chance to reflect on the day ahead, decide what is important aside from the working obviously and to of course relax.
Regardless of how much sleep I got the night before I really try to include this in my day because I feel it makes me a better worker, daughter, friend, and person.
I get more done, I am in a better mood and I feel more productive.
Bonus…in an hour I usually walk about 4.5 miles so I also get a little exercise in. I take my coffee with me, put my head phones on(lately its been Avett Brothers or Lumineers) and just walk and think. I try not to tweet, check email, or look at Facebook while I am doing this although I am human sometimes I slip.
I think this is a great idea for anyone who has a hard time relaxing. A hard time focusing. A hard time getting through the day without feeling stress.
I find myself looking forward to it and really appreciating that hour.
Also I am a big fan of taking time for oneself. I am not great about this and I have written in great lengths about it before but this is a sure fire way to get an hour for yourself every single day.
If you are feeling the need for extra time to yourself or just a way to decompress before your day starts I suggest a walk….especially when its cool out. We all need to relax a little don’t we?
What do you do to decompress and relax?
Amen, sister! I wish I had more time to do the same in the AM, but I do love to take walks at night!
I agree! I go for a long walk every morning with my lab, Kobe. He loves it & i do too! I hope I can stick with it once winter rolls around.
A long walk is awesome and relaxing. It’s even better with a dog by your side (and a cup of coffee, uhem). It’s not so awesome when it drizzles like today.
I go for a run or take a good book on my ipad to the gym and hop in the stairclimber for an hour. its just me, the words and my thoughts.
Thats a really great idea. Have to give that a try. I am always on edge and nervous and need a little time-out from time to time.
Normally I just sit and listen to music. But with a little exercise it is more rewarding I guess!
I loved this post Neely! I think that it’s so important to take time to step away and just be with yourself. I totally agree about trying to avoid technology! I was just on a 5 hour flight yesterday and it was SO REFRESHING to not be connected to anything for that time. Great post this morning!
XO Kait
That’s a great idea! I love working out in the mornings– gives me a chance to get up and do something other than rushing around to get to work.
This is awesome!! I always always ALWAYS tell myself I need to get up an hour early to get in some kind of exercise… get my brain ready for the day. But it never happens :/
As hard as it is to not continually hit the snooze button (sometimes to the point of damaging my alarm clock), I feel a lot better about my day if I at least have 30 minutes to myself in the morning whether I go to the gym , take the time to make myself a nice breakfast that I don’t have to eat in the car or just loaf around with my coffee and watch reruns of the Dog the Bounty Hunter.
I so agree! I start work 1.5 hours later than I used to now, and I go to the gym in the morning. It really makes a difference, even though i would have loved to sleep that extra bit longer! In my work we are banned from having any mobile phones etc at work, and I feel it is great. .. It makes me so much more focused on the tasks I am ment to be doing!
A walk is sometimes all you need to clear your head!
“I am a pretty high strung person by nature. I am a type A, OCD, organized freak who is not good with change, plans getting canceled or interruptions.”
Oh I’m sorry, I thought I was reading about myself….
I’ve been really trying to plan ‘relax’ time and prioritize to be less over whelmed…it’s a work in progress for sure!
I either walk Knox, run, or watch the Real Housewives. It’s an addiction.
I totally agree! I head out to the gym for one or two classes – then my phone is in my gym locker and I can’t check my social networks, reply to emails or answer calls! That way I relax and get my sweat on 🙂
I either walk the dog or play golf! Today, I’m playing golf!! Great post, Neely! I don’t know how you keep up with so many giveaways but that’s just awesome!
My best way to relax is to listen to music with or without a walk. I also take the dogs out for a longer stroll so that helps to relax as well. My cellphone then is often stored away because I don’t want to get distracted. We are human and we are pressured with stress and hardly having any time for any of it so it feels nice for a change to just go out, listen to music and look at what nature has to offer. 🙂
Haven’t said it yet, but I love that you switched over. Brave move, but oh so good. 🙂
I love to run 🙂 If I run on my treadmill I read or listen to music… if I run outside I listen to music. It destresses me for sure!
When I go for a walk/run it takes me a bit to drag my butt out of the house but once I’m going I feel so good. It’s a good time to reflect on everything too
I love this post Neely, such a good reminder that we all need to decompress and take a deep breath! I am always running around like a crazy lady in the mornings; it would be so nice to have a morning that I could just chill! You inspire me to try and wake up a little earlier to fit in my own “me” walk 🙂