Ways to Relax Without a Vacation
If you’re like most of us, you think about ways to relax without taking a vacation on a regular basis. Here are a few more ideas for you to keep in rotation.
There could be many reasons why you don’t take the break you need. You may feel like your boss discourages you from using your paid time off. Or you may be concerned about being replaced if you spend too many hours away from the office. These tips on how to relax without a vacation might help you.
Vacations are beneficial to both employers and employees. Taking a break from work increases productivity and prevents burnout.
While there’s no substitute for a vacation, you can make the time in between your getaways more pleasant and satisfying. Try these ideas to relax without a vacation.
How to Relax Without a Vacation at Work:
- Vary your tasks. Take a fresh look at your job description. Find ways to spend more time on the responsibilities that help you to achieve a sense of flow. Maybe you can delegate a few or at least alternate between them to break up any monotony.
- Redecorate your workspace. If you are back to working on site, update the pictures of family, friends, and pets on your desk. If you are working from home, try out a new setup for your desk/office area. Maybe closer to a window.
- Stretch and stand up about every half hour. Stretching during the workday is a great way to combat the adverse effects of sitting at a desk for extended periods. Stretching is also a way to relax tense muscles, relieve stress, improve productivity, and give yourself a jump-start of energy.
- Walk around. Ask your colleagues if they’d be interested in scheduling a walking meeting. They may like the idea of going outside for a little fresh air and exercise while you discuss business matters. If you are working from home, try walking around your home or even your backyard.
- Develop your career. Taking control of your future could help you to access more vacation time and reach other work-related goals. Assess your skills and target areas where you want to grow.
How to Relax Without a Vacation away from Work:
- Shift your focus. Do you find yourself thinking about the office even when you’re at home? Make a deliberate effort to disengage. Create rituals that help you to put work behind you, like going to the gym or taking your dog for a walk when you arrive home.
- Turn off your phone. If possible, avoid taking calls or checking emails related to work. Talk to your boss about how to balance after-hour emergencies with your need for personal space.
- Work on your hobby. Studies show that active leisure is more refreshing than watching TV. Pursue your interests in wine collecting or building furniture. Visit museums and public gardens. Play sports and board games.
- Connect with others. Honor your own needs for solitude and social time. When you’re hanging out with your friends and family, use your time together to validate and support each other.
- Explore future destinations. Research shows that planning a vacation can be almost as beneficial as the actual trip. Give yourself something to look forward to by downloading brochures or talking with others about their ideas. Build anticipation by sampling local dishes or watching foreign movies.
Additional Tips to Relax Without a Vacation:
- Plan your day. Schedule breaks each day instead of waiting for things to slow down. Your mind and body need ongoing rest.
- Give generously. Thinking about others makes us feel less burdened. Do something to make your spouse or a stranger smile.
- Consider your purpose. Any task is more bearable when you remember the reasons behind it. Ask yourself what you like about your work.
Protect your career and take care of your health by giving yourself enough downtime to refresh and recharge. When a vacation is not possible, treat yourself to a break wherever you find yourself. Learn to relax without taking a vacation. If you need even more ways to destress, take a look at this post by HuffPost that explains ways that are scientifically backed to relax without a vacation.