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The importance of switching off

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How often are you switching off?

Something that’s really hard to do. We are so surrounded by noise, technology, people, animals – it’s a constant assault on our senses. We’re always doing something – even when we’re not. The TV is on, the radio is on, we’re buried in our phones, laptops, iPad. Even our so called down time is busy – there’s always housework, kids, partners, animals – something or someone always needing our time and attention.

When my kids were young, my down time was in the bathroom – when that door was shut, they knew not to come in unless there was an emergency – and fighting over who got the last biscuit was not an emergency! It took me a long time to realise that I wasn’t being selfish – it was my time to relax, reset and refresh before I had to repeat so I could be the best that I could be for those that needed me.

Your brain is on the go 24/7 – if it’s not actively doing something while you’re awake, it’s working while you’re asleep. Although you could never switch it off completely, there are things you can do to have some “you time”.

Even small break (just a few minutes or so) makes a difference to your mental and physical health. It’s too easy to get to the end of the day and realise you haven’t finished what needs to be done, haven’t stopped for lunch and you’re tired – not physically tired like after a long walk or run, but actually down to the bone, can’t think straight, shouldn’t be driving kind of tired.

So what can you do? You can’t just down tools and walk away – like most people in business, your brain is still thinking about tomorrow, next week, next month and the next year. Here’s what I do:

Get up, away from the computer

Leave my phones (yes there are two) behind

Take the dog for a walk around the block or lie down on the deck in the sun and stare at the clouds (one of my favourites)

Turn off the music, leave out the ear buds. Listen to the sound of the wind, the rain on the roof, the birds singing, waves crashing. Whatever works for you. The hardest thing is going back to basics and removing yourself from technology – even for just a few minutes. Just try it for a week - you’ll be surprised at the difference it can make.

Sue Walton.

027 210 4918.

sue@managecompany.co.nz.

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