Todd Sumamno
As much as we might hate to admit it, we are coming to the end of our summer breaks. Some of you out there may still have some vacation days booked, but for the rest of us, we are looking ahead to the autumn and doing our best to make the most of the sunshine and relaxation time that we have left. And let’s face it, we have certainly earned our summer breaks this year. The news cycle has hardly let up during the last few months, and frankly it does not look like there is going to be much of a difference in the rest of 2022.
It can take a while to get back in the swing of things when we return to work after a summer vacation, but once we are back in the thick of it, life starts moving pretty fast again. Given everything that we have been through recently, not to mention the rising cost of living, you are going to need to take steps to ensure that you are looking after yourself. A big part of that is finding ways that you can unwind. Here are a few suggestions for how you can step away from your stress points and relax a little as we head into autumn.
Make Time That Is Just For You
Here is one that a lot of parents will know is easier said than done. Having some “me time” can sometimes feel like a pipe dream, but it is one of the best ways that you can look after yourself and recharge. If you are struggling to find a spot in the day that you can dedicate to just you, then it might help to put a schedule together. Planning out your daily routine might not sound like the most relaxing thing, but it can help you to get a better sense of where your time is going. It can also help you to identify times in the day where you might be able to close your computer and stop checking your phone!
Try Getting Into An Exercise Routine
Now, this point can be a little tricky because the last thing that anyone needs is another stick to beat themselves with when they are already stressed out. But exercising regularly is not only good for your physical health, but it has also been shown to benefit your mental health too. The important thing is that you do not set yourself any targets that you will not be able to reach. Think about what forms of exercise you enjoy and be realistic about what you are capable of at the moment. Even a quick jog in the morning before you start work can do wonders. Once you get into a routine, you will find that it quickly becomes easier and more enjoyable.
Treat Yourself To Games
If you are looking for ways that you can turn off everything else that is stressing you out, online gaming can be an excellent choice. There are very few things that force you to tune out all that exterior noise and simply focus on the task at hand quite like online gaming. If you are someone who loves teaming up with your friends for a campaign, then why not think about scheduling a regular time when you can all log on and unwind together? It does not necessarily have to be a social event if you do not want it to be. For example, if you are a fan of online poker or slots, why not treat yourself to a little time at an online casino? There are so many different online slot games out there, so you know that you are never going to run out of options. If you are looking for the best selection of online slot games, visit Jackpot. They have over 1400 slot games for you to choose from.
Get Away For A Weekend With Your Family
Generally speaking, we tend to think of summer and Christmas as the time for family vacations. But there is no reason why you shouldn’t get away for a quick weekend break to unwind and spend some quality time with your loved ones. You don’t even have to go very far. Even something as simple as treating yourself to a night or two at a hotel, where the bed has been made by someone else and you don’t have to worry about what you are going to cook yourself for dinner, can really help. And if you are in need of a bit of pampering, why not think about going for a spa weekend? Remember that there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing this by yourself if you feel like you are running the risk of burning out.
Be Strict With Your Work Schedule
One of the biggest issues with working from home, as many of us are still doing right now, is that it can be hard to clock out definitively. When the office is located inside your house, you know that your laptop is only ever a few feet away. There is always that temptation to finish up a bit of work after dinner, or to start work a little bit early. But this is how you can start to let that work stress creep into what should be your downtime. If you are still working from home, then you need to make sure that you are keeping strictly to the times that you are supposed to work. Stop checking your work emails and messages after you have logged out and do your best to keep your weekends and evenings work-free. If this is causing problems with your employer, do not be afraid to talk to them about what is in your contract. This is important, and if they push you to work out of hours, you should talk to your HR manager.
Remember That Sleep Is Vital
Getting a good night’s sleep is not always something that comes easily. There have been a lot of reports written in the last couple of years about how many of us have been struggling with insomnia and restless nights. If this becomes a pattern, you will find that it starts to have a serious impact on your mental health. So, if you are having a hard time sleeping, you need to think about what you can do to give yourself better odds. To begin with, it’s worth noting that doctors recommend that adults should be getting between seven and nine hours of sleep every night. If that sounds like more than you are getting, you might want to consider setting yourself a bedtime. This may sound a little childish, but it is a good first step. Next, try to cut down on the amount of caffeine and alcohol you are drinking during the day and evening. Having a drink after work may seem like a good way to unwind but it can lead to a restless night. You should also think about leaving your devices out of the bedroom. Blue light has been shown to be a factor in insomnia or disturbed sleep, and really, we should all try and stop doom scrolling at some point before we turn the light out.
Brittany
