Want to know an amazing secret weapon against burnout?

With only two sleeps left before I go away for a family-focused weekend, I am considering doing something that will take considerable effort: leaving my work at home.

In a world that glorifies “hustle” culture, the idea of having two full days where I don’t jump onto my laptop, review and reply to emails, search through calendar bookings, and review my ever-growing to-do list feels not only unnatural, but incredibly lazy.

Although we are certainly getting better at recognizing the need for self-care and adequate downtime, western society’s promotion of work equating to worth is proving that the practice of not working (and not attaching any negative feelings to it) is still… a practice.

In this month’s newsletter, I want to challenge the notion that being idle is synonymous with being unproductive and declare that instead, “doing nothing” can actually lead to more energy, creativity, and problem-solving aptitude.

To illustrate this, most of us have worked on at least one project where our energy was overexerted, our creative juices used up, and all we did was go over the same mental loops, only to feel frustrated, distracted, and unmotivated. In most cases, our belief was to keep slogging and though we may have finished the damn thing, we felt the worse for it. So, herein lies the secret weapon: when you find yourself feeling “blah” or coming at things from “push energy” (i.e. forcing vs allowing), trust your body and take the break. By giving yourself permission to temporarily walk away (whether mentally or sometimes physically), your chances of releasing what isn’t working are higher and you will likely return with a fresh, more productive approach.

Quick Tips for “better break habits”:

1. Set a timer. If you’re someone like me and “I’ll go in 5 minutes” turns into “2 hours later”, set it and when it goes off, GET UP.

2. Move it. Whether it’s going for a lap around your office/home or doing some stretches, movement matters.

3. Step away from the screen(s) and give your eyes a rest.

4. Consider meditation: With countless meditations available (some as short as 5min), pick one that resonates. Sit back and breathe into it.

5. Socialize. This is more of an in-person suggestion but sharing healthy interactions with others can boost mood and relieve stress.

Prioritizing and revitalizing your health is a key part of what we do at Theralleve.

Avoiding burnout for better productivity.

Want to know an amazing secret weapon against burnout?

With only two sleeps left before I go away for a family-focused weekend, I am considering doing something that will take considerable effort: leaving my work at home.

In a world that glorifies “hustle” culture, the idea of having two full days where I don’t jump onto my laptop, review and reply to emails, search through calendar bookings, and review my ever-growing to-do list feels not only unnatural, but incredibly lazy.

Although we are certainly getting better at recognizing the need for self-care and adequate downtime, western society’s promotion of work equating to worth is proving that the practice of not working (and not attaching any negative feelings to it) is still… a practice.

In this month’s newsletter, I want to challenge the notion that being idle is synonymous with being unproductive and declare that instead, “doing nothing” can actually lead to more energy, creativity, and problem-solving aptitude.

To illustrate this, most of us have worked on at least one project where our energy was overexerted, our creative juices used up, and all we did was go over the same mental loops, only to feel frustrated, distracted, and unmotivated. In most cases, our belief was to keep slogging and though we may have finished the damn thing, we felt the worse for it. So, herein lies the secret weapon: when you find yourself feeling “blah” or coming at things from “push energy” (i.e. forcing vs allowing), trust your body and take the break. By giving yourself permission to temporarily walk away (whether mentally or sometimes physically), your chances of releasing what isn’t working are higher and you will likely return with a fresh, more productive approach.

Quick Tips for “better break habits”:

1. Set a timer. If you’re someone like me and “I’ll go in 5 minutes” turns into “2 hours later”, set it and when it goes off, GET UP.

2. Move it. Whether it’s going for a lap around your office/home or doing some stretches, movement matters.

3. Step away from the screen(s) and give your eyes a rest.

4. Consider meditation: With countless meditations available (some as short as 5min), pick one that resonates. Sit back and breathe into it.

5. Socialize. This is more of an in-person suggestion but sharing healthy interactions with others can boost mood and relieve stress.

Prioritizing and revitalizing your health is a key part of what we do at Theralleve.