Relax with nature

It is imperative for the proletariat to take some rest after working so hard so that they may not break down with the attendant ill-health that will negatively impact on their work output.

We should be conscious of our health and listen to our bodies to know when it is time to slow down and unwind, and when we should move on with our activities.

While it may be difficult for some people to balance work and rest, others may find it easier to take time off and rest.

The truth remains that we should strike a balance between work and rest.

This is the only way we can help ourselves to refresh and re-energize for tasks ahead.

But more importantly, resting and relaxing help improve our health, hence keeping us healthy and fit.

Many people do not see any need to rest when there is so much work to do, while some others may not afford enough rest due to the nature and pressure of their work.

The result is that we may fall sick and keep away from the same work that was the reason for not resting.

Also not resting and relaxing will cause stress with reduced mental alertness, and reduced output at work.

This post is therefore about 12 best ways we can take care of ourselves to stay healthy and perform well at all times.

Walk on rocky mountain road and enjoy nature

1. Take a day off from work

Take a day off from work each week and switch off. This will slow you down and take the pressure of work off your shoulder with refreshing effect on physical, mental and psychological health.

We all deserve some rest and must ensure we get it. If your tight schedule is mostly on weekdays, you can take a day off during the weekend and refresh to start the following week on a clean slate.

Each time I take a day off I always feel fresh coming back to my work. It is a feeling that I look forward to.

2. Take a nap

You need to take a nap each day. Studies have shown that taking a nap which is defined as sleeping between 15 and 30 minutes in the daytime results in improved brain functions with improved memory, creativity and focus.

A quick nap has been found to lower stress and increase the willpower to do more work with improved efficiency and output.

Studies have shown a causal relationship between napping and lower rates of inflammation and cardiovascular diseases.

Also, some people believe that naps have the same restorative effect of a whole night of sleep. So take time out to nap to stay healthy.

3. Rest after a major event

Make sure you take time off to rest after participating in a major event or a training programme or a project.

You should rest well after working so hard. Failure to rest after a hard day’s work will slow down your mental alertness, and get you stressed up with diminishing returns.

Reading for fun

4. Get enough sleep

Get adequate sleep each day even when things are not yet finished. Sleeping well restores the body functions and keeps you healthy.

For more on this, read my post on tips for staying healthy.

5. Pay attention to your body

Understand how your body works so that you will be on the lookout for signs that you need some rest.

It is easier and more beneficial to shut down at the right time when you are aware of your breaking points.

6. Avoid works related activities

When you shut down from work, ensure that you do not go back to work indirectly through reading of emails or making works related phone calls.

In order to achieve a good rest, you should leave behind all activities related to work.

Checking works related emails and making phone calls will make it impossible to get the desired rest.

Make sure to do something that is not work related.

Relax with nature

7. Engage with nature

You can refresh by engaging with the nature. This you can do by getting to a local park and taking a walk or going for a drive in the countryside.

You can also relax by going on an outdoor picnic with your family. You can take a relaxing vacation and visit the beach.

This is an enjoyable experience that will make you forget the troubles and pressure of work.

8. Create a quiet time

Having a quiet time will also have restorative effects on your health.

So when you need to, take a break from people and stay in your closet, away from disturbances, to reflect on the good sides of life.

You may use the opportunity to commune with God. You will be replenished and ready to dive back to your work.

9. Read books for fun

Reading, they say, makes a man and studying a full man.

As a way of relaxing, however, the aim of reading is for fun. You can read books of interest to you, whether fiction or nonfiction, provided they are interesting and enjoyable.

You are not studying, but reading for the fun of it. As you relax with such books, it will take your mind away from life pressures.

What a way to be free albeit temporarily from the pressures of work.

10. Play games for fun

Get engaged with playing enjoyable games such as video or board games.

Also, you can do some crossword puzzles or Sudoku. You can relax with such games and be refreshed at the end of the day.

They have a way of helping us relax and keeping us away from the demands of work.

In addition, these games can give you a fresh and relaxing experience that is capable of rejigging your brain for better performance at work in terms of problem solving.

Relax on the doc

11. Engage in physical activity

Get enough physical exercise and let go of your stress. The importance of physical activity cannot be overemphasized.

It keeps the body running at full capacity. Exercising impacts positively on the whole body system, as the heart, liver, kidneys, muscles and brain are all working well as a result.

Physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and other non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and cancer.

Simple physical activities such as brisk walking, jogging, and running will help us maintain a healthy life.

Create time every day to exercise for 30 minutes to one hour and stay healthy for the rest of your life. Read more about physical activity here.

12. Start a hobby

It is rewarding to start a new, interesting and enjoyable hobby or revisit an old one to divert attention from work-related activities.

You should ensure that the hobby is so engaging that you stay detached from work for as long as possible. It helps relieve stress.

It makes us more patient, and increases self-esteem and confidence.

It is important to note that we need rest to stay healthy. It is believed that applying some if not all of these tips to our lives will help improve our health.

Perhaps you are already doing quite a lot in ensuring that you rest in spite of the demanding nature of your work.

Kindly share your experiences with us in the comments.