Learn To Relax – How To Take A Short Break From Being An Entrepreneur
You need a break. I need a break. We need a break. And we know if we don’t take a break, it will break us. You get the picture (I got a little abusive of the word break). Here are 74 ideas to trigger your mind into taking that much need relaxing 10 minutes to 10 days off from being an entrepreneur:
1. Beach, Books And Beer
How To Relax: My favorite place to decompress is the beach. I live about 40 miles from Clearwater Beach, Florida often rated as one of the ten best beaches in North America! Now add a book–of the mind candy sort–and wash it all down with an ice cold beer and I am totally relaxed.
Learning how to live in the present moment is an everyday challenge. Practice makes perfect and the rewards are great!
REMEMBER: Today is non-returnable. Make it unforgettable!
How To Relax: When I know my wife is smiling and happy I’m good. Sometimes it takes me to have to tickle her feet, clean the toilet or read to her from a great book. In the word smile is the word mile. A smile is just like a mile as it will take you a long way.
How To Relax: I am a multi-business entreprenette and my mind is always on the go even if we are at a dinner party….some business thing always comes up. The only way I can truly tune out and turn off my brain is to watch TV. I am a Law and Order, CSI, NCIS…..whatever latest cop drama is on my TIVO kind of gal. When I want to relax and leave the business behind I turn on the tube and tune into another world. Amazing what a mind numbing 42 minutes can do for ya!
How To Relax: It’s hard for some entrepreneurs to relax and take it easy. However, here’s a sure-fire plan to do so:
1. Become AWARE you have to learn to relax
2. Start by taking 2 minute breaks where all you do is BREATHE deeply.
3. Continue with small breaks of breathing and/or chilling listening to music.
After a month or so, you’ll CONDITION your body to relax. Once that happens, look out! You’ll have more energy and be productive than you ever thought possible:)
How To Relax: I play Scrabble. I pop my Scrabble CD into the computer and play, either at the Expert level (if I want my ego to remain intact,) or at the Championship level (when I really want to take my mind off work.) Scrabble makes me look at things differently, sort things out, and it reminds me that, like life, figuring out what works best for maximum scoring is a game.
How To Relax: At least once a year I travel internationally with a friend. Once the trip is paid for there’s no going back! I refuse to check email or voicemail while I am away. My brain is so occupied with learning about new places & people that I don’t have time to think about work.
How To Relax: Meditating every day is the best way I know to withdraw the attention from the body and the busy brain. Meditation is a process of listening to the inner self or High Self for higher guidance and inspiration. It is nourishing, calming, brings peace of mind and contentment. I highly recommend it!
How To Relax: When I find myself becoming overwhelmed, unfocused or stressed, no matter where I am, If I am driving I find somewhere to safely pull over and I close my eyes and give myself five deep cleansing breaths. I focus on my breath and on my breathing, I breath in slowly and deeply and I breath out slowly as I relax my shoulders, my neck, my entire body and mind. In a few short minutes, I feel refreshed, replenished and rejuvenated. I am once again ready to enjoy my day.
How To Relax: In the am, I meditate for 20 min before I do anything. It increases my ability to focus thru the day. Before bed, I need to unwind. I made a list of every quality that makes me great. I choose one to four of them & breathe into my heart and think, “My greatness is my creativity,” for example. Then I breathe the same thought out into the world. I do this for up to five min. It shuts down the concerns of the day & sends me off to dreamland in a postive state. I make appointments to play & laugh.
How To Relax: I recommend getting outdoors and taking a backpacking trip. My wife and I take the dog as far away from civilization as we can get, though we do still take our mobile phones. (Just for emergencies.) Spend as much time as you can doing as little as possible. Sit around the campsite and talk about life. Take a hike through the park to enjoy a more organic side of life, besides the food you by at Whole Foods. Most importantly, enjoy the time you have, and you’ll come back recharged.
How To Relax: Sad to say, but I’ve been trying very hard to relax. However, as a start up still in the stage where I am developing the business, relaxing is hard to do. Because I am the one mostly doing everything. So what forced me to relax was getting sick. I was forced to be on the couch all day drinking tea with honey for four days. Crazy, but I was actually glad. I had no other choice but to be laying down. After four days, I was fully recharged. Hopefully next time I will relax before I get sick.
How To Relax: Whether it’s a break a day or another interval, taking time out to relax is different for men and women. Being married to an entrepreneur I know HIS relaxation is in the form of – washing our cars. It gets his heart pumping for all the right reasons. If there’s inclement weather, he watches the car races on television. For me, it’s either reading a good book or an epsom salt bath in the jacuzzi. The important thing is to make taking a break a priority and then just relax into it.
How To Relax: If you are having trouble “shutting off” and putting work out of your head, try a no technology weekend (or whatever days you have off!)
Going “cold turkey” and switching your phone off or walking out of the house without checking the computer can do wonders for your psyche and will help you come back to work well rested and raring to go.
It may seem impossible today, but try it once and you’ll be hooked.
Become a different character. Go to Brazil (on stage). Relax on a beach. Be in the midst of an entrancing film noir, and be the most intriguing Sam Spade you’ve ever wanted to be. Climb Mount Kilamanjaro or have a spa day. Live your life dreams on stage. Anything’s possible.
Laugh and make others laugh. You’d be surprised how relaxing this is.
How To Relax: Most of the time, as entrepreneurs, we’re wired for sound. Multitasking, organizing, blogging, phoning, planning, implementing, goal setting, marketing, servicing…whew! How in the World do we wind down? First, make a date to just be alone for three or four hours (I usually choose a day when all I have are personal errands, so if I run over, I’m not stressed!). Go to a place that’s filled with art – a museum or gallery district is perfect. Wander aimlessly with no goal in mind.
How To Relax: Being relaxed is the key to doing good work. A great way to find that place is with a daily meditation practice. Remember it’s not emptying your mind, it’s trying to empty your mind. So many people think they can’t meditate because they think too much. Well even the most advanced meditators have thoughts that come in. The key is to not attach to those thoughts and just let them go. It’s good to focus on your breath or a mantra like Rama (ra on the in breath, ma on the out breath) or Amitofo.
How To Relax: Taking a break from work–whether it’s for 5 seconds, 5 minutes, or 5 days– starts with a deep breath. By paying attention to your breath, you clear your mind and relax your body. As you breathe, feel your shoulders lower from your ears and your jaws unclench. More deep breaths steady your heart rate and allow your muscles to be fully oxygenated. You’re now ready for your next challenge!
How To Relax: Breathe in fully, and take longer to exhale than inhale – this itself is very relaxing. Next breathe through your heart – imagine there is a blue light coming in and out of your heart – imagine there is a big ball of light inside your heart becoming bigger and bigger, and then imagine a happy moment in your life. Feel it fully. And continue breathing. Getting in touch with your heart helps you access Truth and be in touch with Who You Really Are, which is always relaxed.
How To Relax: When I want to get away from it all and relax I find it best to completely remove distractions to the virtual world. Spend a day hiking in the woods, sleeping in the sun, pick up a good book or sit around an open fire with friends, food and cocktails. I look to the Amish who have no telephones or electricity. Take away the cell phones, computers and internet so that there will be no notion to just quickly check those messages.
How To Relax: To me, relaxing is not about “disconnecting from work”. It’s about connecting with work in a new way, one that is enjoyable and allows for creativity. Recently I went camping with my dog and took my laptop with me. We climbed mountains every day, and then I spent a pleasant couple of hours in the evenings catching up on my blog and contemplating the future of my business while sitting around a campfire. To me, that’s relaxing.
How To Relax: Scientists tell us 80% of all illness is related to stress. My trick actually comes from the founders of CareerTrak: when all hell is breaking loose–go to the movies! The scarier, sillier, sexier the movie, the better. Your mind needs a break and the two hours you spend in a darkened theatre will restore you. Then, with a refreshed sense of urgency, you can return to the office and do what has to be done.
How To Relax: My favorite way to relax is with a cruise–honestly by the time the ship leaves the port–well I am stretched out in a deck chair snoozing. The further from land the more relaxed I become. It’s hard to get a signal on the Blackberry; email is expensive; aaaahhhh nothing to do–really nothing to do but shore excursions and relaxing by the pool. And to be honest, I don’t even have to do that. It takes about 48 hours to get into the zone, but I can actually feel my blood pressure drop.
How To Relax: I go away – the desert is nearby and a 1 hour trip takes me back to blue skies and no electricity and no cellular reception. One morning is like a week away. Ahhhh.
How To Relax: When I’m having a hard time disengaging my head from work, I sit down to watch a movie with my husband. An engaging story pulls me right out of the mental work chatter, and a couple hours spent snuggling up with my sweetheart to watch a movie never fails to leave me feeling refreshed. I sometimes push myself to do this, because I know from experience my work suffers if I don’t take that time off.
How To Relax: One of the major components of stress is negative repetitive thoughts. Our brains get stuck in an endless loop. This leads to lack of productivity and can keep one from relaxing outside of work and leaving the stress behind.
The solution to this is developing presence skills. Chi Kung is the best way to do this. Chi Kung is actually very simple despite all the mystical hooey surrounding it. It simply brings a persons awareness to their body and breath which stops the brains hyperactivity.
How To Relax: Ways to relax vary for each person. Highly motivated individuals sometimes feel guilty for this much needed “down” time. A three minute “power pause” can be spiritually beneficial and rejuvenating, while a purring cat in your lap has other healthy lifestyle benefits. Your pet knows how to relax; just watch them. It’s an art. But do what is natural and hopefully unforced…….. a quiet walk and be at one with nature. YOU DESERVE TO RELAX BECAUSE YOU GIVE SO MUCH….
How To Relax: When I want to relax, I love to play the piano. Doing so instantly calms me, puts me in a good mood, and allows me to focus on something other than work. If I’m not near a piano, listening to jazz or old standards being sung also does the trick (particularly if Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra or Diana Krall is singing).
How To Relax: De beste weg om jezelf vrij te voelen is fysieke inspanning. Sporten dus! Het is heerlijk om na een ondernemend dagje de botten en de spieren stevig te laten werken.
Voor mij werkt hardlopen het beste. En ik ben niet de enige! Lopen maakt je hoofd leeg. Het zorgt voor nieuwe energie. De nieuwe ideeën springen je spontaan te binnen onderweg.
Er is niets zo effectief als hardlopen. Het is de sport die je in de kortste tijd de meeste winst oplevert. Op alle vlakken!
How To Relax: You want to take the world by storm with your entrepreneurial venture. It’s easy to live and breath your business to the detriment of your personal life. Think where you were 100 years ago and where you’ll be 100 years from now. Keep the big picture in mind. No matter how successful you become, no entrepreneur ever found total satsifaction from a business venture alone. Love, relationships, helping others, and spiritual wisdom form the foundation for a happy & successful business and life.
How To Relax: Instead of beating yourself up for not working around the clock, be sure that you’re focused and productive during work hours. Don’t spend time on brainless, fruitless activities. Schedule your day carefully and get things done. Having a productive day is the best way to ward off feelings of guilt during relaxation time. When you die, there will be unchecked items on your to-do list so give it your best then rest!
How To Relax: I make sure to have at least one hour a day of playing sports or spending times with the kids. Occupying myself with something or someone that needs to be focused on, helps me keep my mind off the pressures of work for a time.
How To Relax: Sometimes no amount of sleep, yoga or cabernet can quiet the mental machinery. That’s when I need to do some therapeutic gardening. Whether it’s excising weeds, rearranging overcrowded plants, or ridding the beds of dead blossoms and foliage – an afternoon of manual labor, preferably in the sun, smelling soil and leaves, communing with the worms…just makes life seem simpler. Afterward, surveying the lovely results from my porch, a cold beer in hand, I feel a bit of peace and timelessness.
How To Relax: If you eliminate the option of checking in, you’re forced to relax and take the time to recharge you really need. Go somewhere without the laptop, the iPhone, and your cell phone if you can help it. Even if just for an afternoon, find yourself on a boat, in a coffee house with a great book, or just at a local park with your kids. Eliminate the option of logging in and you’ll be amazed how quickly you engage in relaxation, and actually enjoy it!
How To Relax: How does the busy Type A personality relax? Simple. Work at it.I have many busy things to do(like you)every day. How do I relax? By setting my phone alarm-and honoring it.Using a phone ringtone(mine is Katy Perry’s Waking Up in Vegas)I set time for relaxing through dancing, resting, yoga, etc. Once the alarm goes off, I honor it-right away, no shirking.My philosophy is:if you are not in top shape, you cannot produce top of the line business!
How To Relax: No amount of physical relaxation will work unless we can quiet our minds, and all those racing and perhaps negative thoughts. After thirty years of running businesses I have come to the conclusion that without a short daily practice of meditation it is impossible to really relax. Even sleep without quieting the mind can be stresssful. Begin by picturing a bright white light from the stars entering the top of your head and running down the length of your spine. Breathe into this and relax!
How To Relax: I heard an old joke about being an entrepreneur. It says, “Become an entrepreneur and you’ll only have to work half days. The other 12 hours a day you can do with as you want.”
Relax before you become burned out and lose all enthusiasm for your work, by making sure you take regular time off… including time daily with your family and vacations completely away from the office, cell phones, pagers, and email.
How To Relax: The best way I relax is to walk away from my workplace and turn on the TV. You see, I – like most entrepreneurs – don’t watch a lot of TV. So, when we do, it doesn’t get better than kicking your feet up and watching an episode of the ‘Golden Girls.’
How To Relax: My best relaxation tip is to go water-side! There is something about being by a lake, the ocean or even a pool that instantly can take us away from busyness to deep relaxed breathing! This summer I even had the opportunity to telecommute from our boat! It was the most amazing work experience ever!
How To Relax: When I need to take a little relax break, especially from the computer, I either leash up my dogs and do a stroll around the block or I just sit on the couch with them and let their velvety unconditional love remind me that
all is well and nothing is worth getting too stressed about.
How To Relax: When I started Training Solutions 14 years ago I set Mon 7 am to Fri 5 pm as work time and the rest play time. Just like leaving a physical office I mentally and physically close the door to my office. Weekends and evenings are for regenerating brain cells by doing non-work things; being creative, working in the garden, exploring new places, spending time with friends, or just vegging out. This helps the “little grey cells” be stronger and better come Monday morning.
How To Relax: Put the Blackberry in the sock drawer, close the computer, turn off the television… and get outside. Best disconnect ever. Literally unplug yourself!
How To Relax: Tai Chi is a slow form martial art that involves focusing the mind solely on the movements of the form. Practicing Tai Chi enables you to bring about a state of mental calm and clarity. It is also known to help in healing.
Many entrepreneurs may struggle at first with the slow movements, but if you stick to it, you will find that you can also increase your focus (and thus results) in other areas of your life.
How To Relax: Remember how your parents used to tell you to turn off the TV/computer/game console and go outside and play? Take a few hours (preferably a few days) and go somewhere without all the gadgetry that keeps you connected to your business. Nature is a wonderful restorative, so go to the mountains or the ocean. Do something fun that gets your body involved and requires some focus (so you can’t think about work). Breathe some fresh air and consciously release your stress. No phones/laptops/iPods!
How To Relax: I, like most entrepreneurs, love the process of idea generation. This is usually the creative and seemingly less stressful part of the entrepreneurial journey. Beyond the obvious forms of relaxation, I actually find it relaxing to help other entrepreneurs when I want to unwind a bit. This may sound contradictory; however, by generating ideas and solutions for others, I get the satisfaction of helping them without the full responsibility, investment and stress of owning the endeavor on my own.
How To Relax: As an entrepreneur it is hard to put down the hand held, the phone, the lap-top and everything else we have as a leash to our business. We have to understand in order to run smoothly we need to do maintence, just like you do with your car. Why do we change the oil, add air or water and get gas while we most days will not even stop to eat a meal. Stop, unplug, unwind! A spa day w/a massage is a great unwind or even a cup of coffee outside w/friends, what floats your boat? Just do something!
How To Relax: Going to the movies gives me at least two hours of uninterrupted time away from my email, cell phone and texting (if you are behaving in the theater) Even if the movie is not five star, it is totally mindless and at least worth the popcorn.
How To Relax: The only way I’ve found that works to stop me from overworking is to TURN OFF THE COMPUTER! I usually do this around 5 or 6PM so I have the evening to recuperate – and write, if I have the energy. I’m looking around for another trick because soon I’m planning on having a back-up laptop for the business, and will probably be playing with my new toy more than I should.
How To Relax: Everyone lives near an ocean, a mountain, a walking trail, a sidewalk, or just dirt. Make a leisurely stroll a recurring daily date in your calendar.
I’m not talking a huffing and puffing power walk, I’m talking s-l-o-w stroll – take in the sights and sounds around you with a new appreciation for just being alive.
Focus on thinking thoughts of thankfulness for every little (and big) thing in your life. Call it your GRATEFUL WALK. It’s a relaxation habit worth having.
How To Relax: I often take 5 minute vacations by physically removing myself from the computer or room where I’m working — staring out the window, taking a walk, sitting on the porch & watching the birds & fish, or doing something in which I am not allowed to think about work. I use yoga breathing techniques to get into a totally relaxed state of mind and body & then just drift for a while — sometimes longer than 5 minutes — and I always come back refreshed. I do same on official vacations social events.
How To Relax: If I am all round up, what I do in order to relax is simple. I sit down in a comfortable chair, close my eyes, take a couple of deep breaths, and meditate. I do this for about 20 minutes or so. After having done this, I feel more relaxed and comfortable.
How To Relax: I have a stretching routine my chiropractor gave me. Altogether it takes about an hour to complete. The whole time I’m doing the stretches, I’m forced to concentrate on my breathing and count the seconds. That leaves little time or space to worry about my business, which is very refreshing.
How To Relax: Whenever I feel overwhelmed or overworked, I take a quick step back, and get in front of my musical instruments. Even if it’s only for a few minutes, playing some notes or putting together a catchy melody in my production software is enough to put a smile on my face (and relieve built-up stress!). You might not enjoy making music, but whatever you do enjoy, use it as a stress relief valve anytime you’re beginning to feel overworked!
How To Relax: …as is your local barista @ the coffee shop on the corner! A change of scenery can REALLY help you relax, gain new perspective or shift gears. Getting out in nature is truly “natural prozac”…the sound of birds, walking the dogs or doing some gardening has been shown to lower your blood pressure. And while coffee won’t lower your blood pressure, enjoying some of life’s simple pleasures (venti soy vanilla latte please!) always makes you feel better and can serve to help you relax!
How To Relax: There is nothing better to take your mind of off of your work than to play to a young child. I begin playing with my 7-year-old son and all else falls to the wayside as we laugh and play sports or make-believe.
How To Relax: On our feet all day working in the shop making beautiful art and gifts leaves our feet feeling less than pretty. It’s a must that we (yes, Andrew too) go get our toes done at least once a month. I skip polish so they rub my feet/legs longer!!
PS. Guys! If Jesse James of West Coast Choppers enjoys getting toe jam cleaned out of his nails, you will too! Every guy I’ve convinced to join me always returns!
How To Relax: I enjoy a nice glass of wine at the end of the day…and it helps to signal SOMEWHAT that the end of the entrepreneurial day should be approaching. Don’t overdo this one, though!
How To Relax: For me the best way to relax is to fire up the old 500HP Dodge Viper. Totally a guy thing, I recognize that, but it is so F’ing loud that thoughts can’t even be heard in your own mind. I drive that around for an hour, and all thoughts and problems are pushed away. The occasional ticket for disturbing the peace is SOOOOOO worth it.
How To Relax: A margarita conjures up images of Key West, blue water, sun, sand and surf. And nothing helps me to relax more than just kicking back, listening to my ipod and sipping a nice frozen margarita. Throw in a few friends, crank up the music, make that a “pitcher” of margaritas and watch the tension and stress disappear.
How To Relax: If I have access to my cell phone, I will be working. Whether I am randomly checking Twitter or logging into my site’s forum, I will find a way to stay connected to work. The only way for me to absolutely disconnect is to completely leave the phone at home or in the car. Then, the activity and my family can have my full attention with no chance for distractions.
How To Relax: When I feel stressed with too much on my plate, I call someone uo that I hae met but really have not gotten to know and invite them for tea, coffee, a movie or a walk in a park.
They too need a break and love it that they too take the time and the end result is we get to know each other better and we find out how we can support each other more.
How To Relax: Putting a puzzle is the best way to relax for everyone no matter where they are or what the season is. Pick somewhere you want to be whether it’s the beach, nature, another country or something else that will relax your mind. You can even visualize your self being there. It will definitely take your mind somewhere else away from the pressure of what you are trying to do at that time. You will then return with a clearer mind ready to tackle your challenges with a renewed strength.
How To Relax: Part of being a successful entrepreneur is knowing how and when to take take a break from your business. Having clear boundaries and awareness of your needs is a must! My trick: I practice extreme self care and it includes daily habits that rejuvenate and replenish me so that I always have enough entrepreneurial spirit, energy and creativity to fuel my business. Because of these daily habits I get to disconnect everyday from my business which in the long run helps me enjoy what I do!
How To Relax: Do some sort of strenuous exercise – jogging, lifting weights, etc. This makes you focus on what you are doing at that moment and not the other stuff going on in your life.
How To Relax: I start my day out with a workout.I know this is tough for many people, but a workout at 5:30am and the rest of the day is a piece of cake. And without the workout hanging over your head all day! I started this schedule when I started my business.I figured no client could need me at that hour and if they did…maybe not a client I wanted. Today I have a dog that wants to be walked.Workouts and walks or bike rides with the dog gives life/work perspective.On a bad day,a dog walk does wonders.
How To Relax: It’s all about a little self-indulgence, bay-bee!!! Do something completely and totally for yourself with whatever time you can carve away – whether it’s a few minutes to thumb through your favorite magazine, 30 minute run, 60 minutes for yoga. A delicious meal and a cocktail. Whatever your guilty pleasure is, really savor and indulge in it. Taking that time out for yourself will help you take care of the business.
How To Relax: Being right in the middle of a start-up, I can relate with letting my “baby” consume every second of my day…every day. The best way to relax is to surround yourself with the people who know you best. Get in touch with a good friend or family member that you haven’t seen for a while and get together for a coffee. Leave the phone at home and don’t worry about the time! Give them a big hug when you get there and reminisce about simpler times.Just sit back, smile, and feel the stress roll away.
How To Relax: …Keeps the Doctor Away! Taking a break to get my blood moving always breaks the monotony, as well as getting me re-focused.
In addition, physical activity (at least 1/2 hour 3 X a week), is the best treatment for depression. As an entrepreneur who lives (and works) with bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder, this is an important part of my self-care foundation.
Exercise is also a GREAT way to beat stress. So, put on that iPod, your running shoes, and hit the road.
How To Relax: I took up flying as a hobby to help me relax and it totally works! When you are piloting a small aeroplane you are concentrating on so many things at once that there is no space left to think about your business for that period. When I land and I get back to my business I find that I suddenly have some new insights because I could step away from it for a while.
September 3rd, 2009
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September 7th, 2009
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