Take It Easy This Holiday Season

By: Anna Wagenhauser

We’re all guilty of this. In today’s fast-paced business climate, it’s easy to get caught up in the to-do lists of the day and forget to take time for rest and relaxation.

In fact, polls have shown that entrepreneurs have difficulty “shutting off” their work mentality and tend to value activity more than rest. However, research shows that relaxation is just as important as work for business success and personal happiness. With the holiday break just around the corner, consider taking some time to unplug your devices, mentally detach from your current work-load, and just simply… rest.

If you’re used to constant activity, resting may seem difficult to do. That’s why taking small steps can be the best strategy toward destressing this holiday season, and getting enough sleep is the first step. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults need between 7-9 hours of sleep per night for the body to rest, heal, and restore itself. But getting that much sleep may be an unrealistic goal for some – start by setting a goal of sleeping 30 minutes longer than you normally do, and that may be all you need to reap the positive benefits of a good night’s sleep.

The next step toward relaxing this holiday season is learning to unclutter the mind from daily activities that cause stress and inhibit creative energy. Business growth often comes from creating new strategies to improve process and company culture; take time to let your mind wander, and you may find yourself discovering new business strategy and growth solutions.

The holiday season is a perfect time to recharge the mind, body, and spirit, plan for the upcoming year, and spend quality time with loved ones. No matter how you decide to spend your free time next week, your physical and mental health, as well as your business’s growth, will prosper from leading a lifestyle that has balance between work and relaxation.

“We will be more successful in all our endeavors if we can let go of the habit of running all the time, and take little pauses to relax and re-center ourselves, and we’ll also have a lot more joy in living.” – Thich Nhat Hanh