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In this multi-tasking world that we live in it is rare that any of us take time to completely unplug. We become burned out, exhausted, short tempered, unclear and even eventually ill from not taking a break. This being all a byproduct of the non-stop lives we have created.
Many of us bring work home at night and on weekends all the while continually checking our email and cell phones for messages day and night. I know I've been known to wake up at night and take a peek at my email. Will the world really stop if we are not connected?
Last week while on a beach vacation near where my husband and I used to live, we decided to not tell anyone we were in town. Usually whenever we go there, we are booked every day having lunch or dinner with old friends and never able to just relax. While we love to see everyone it seems we are always in a hurry for the next event. When we get home we are exhausted.
This time we made no plans and happily slept in every day, ate when we wanted, leisurely walked on the beach, rode bikes and took naps. It was great not having to get cleaned up to go anywhere or meet anyone. It was priceless to just spend each day with no pressure at all.
We could barely remember the last time we felt this relaxed and peaceful. Slowly we were reminded of the few other times we actually shut down and relaxed. Unfortunately it had been a few years and it is sad how quickly we were sucked back into the rat race.
I am sure as you are reading this, ideas are forming of what would be the perfect escape for you. I certainly hope so! We are no good to ourselves or anyone else when we're burned out. Life will go on in the business world without us. Nothing will come to a crashing halt as we sometimes fear if we take time out to relax.
We both came back to work with renewed energy and a quiet peacefulness that was apparent to all of those around us. New ideas and solutions are coming to us easily. We are certainly much nicer to be around and are both reminded that it is very important to continue to find time to unplug and commit to having a relaxing day.
Give yourself the gift of unplugging even if only for a day every few weeks. I know you can all make excuses about work, family, and children as reasons that you can't. I don't buy it! Your family and you can all take turns giving each other a day of relaxation. Start planning now when you will unplug and imagine how relaxing it will be. My pulse slows just thinking about it.
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