4 Tips for My Colleagues to Enjoy Recharge Week

My brain has not been operating at its total capacity for the last couple of weeks.

I’ve been sleeping well, exercising, and eating healthy (minus a few cheat days), but I can tell there is something wrong. I know this because I achieve peak performance in the mornings. I get a rush from problem-solving and collaborating. But lately, no Fuego for me.

Meditation, exercising, and reading are all great. But lately, these activities feel like when your close a bunch of windows of your laptop, hoping it will perform better.

It is not working, so my theory is that I need to shut down my entire operating system; take a break.

Lucky for me, I work for a company that is now offering a week off every quarter for all employees.

These are some of the things I will try during my break.

#1. Change of scenery.

Have you realized how fast days and weeks go by when you are in a routine?

Your brain is so used to the routine that it goes into pilot mode. It disregards the small things. The nice tree on your way to the coffee shop, the cool breeze hitting your face, the tired walk of french bulldog passing by you.

Get out of the routine, even if it is a short trip to the neighboring town. The change will turn on your brain. It will be more alert. Because it notices the surroundings, time will feel like it is slowing down, and you will have more memorable experiences.

#2. Pick up a new habit.

Hit pause on all the business books you’ve been reading. Instead, pick up a Hemingway and give non-fictions a shot.

Try something tactile if reading is not your jam, like carpentry or pottery.

If you get to escape to a new place, how about going for a run?

No morning work calls can be an opportunity to try meditation consistently.

#3. Turn off your alarm.

For the love of sleep, turn off your alarm.

Sleep is so important. Let your body decide when it wants to wake up. If your break does not involve a good night’s sleep, you are most likely not taking a break.

#4. No expectations.

My final advice is to go into your break with an open mind and zero expectations.

So many things can go wrong; miss a flight, noise room, food poisoning. If you are expecting the perfect getaway, it most likely won’t happen. If instead, you accept and enjoy whatever life brings, it will all be gravy. You will be happy with whatever happens.

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