Month: August 2018

Unplug: Leave Your Phone at Home

Do this today – yes, even though your day is already planned. For ONE HOUR, take a technology break: Leave. Your. Phone. At. Home.

Maybe you’ll break out into a cold sweat at the mere thought of being unplugged for an hour. Maybe you’ll feel a deep sense of relief at the thought of having some alone time.

  • What could you do with that hour? Here are a few options:
  • Grab a book that’s been on your reading list.
  • Attend a yoga class.
  • Run your favorite route.
  • Go for a walk – with or without man’s best friend – at the beach, in a park, through your town.
  • Take a hike.
  • Hop on your bike.
  • See what it feels like to sit in your backyard.
  • Meet a friend and catch up – face to face!
  • If you’ve got kids, surprise them with a picnic supper.
  • Go fly a kite.
  • Enjoy a device-free dinner with your family.
  • Do some meal prep for the week.
  • Volunteer at a nonprofit.
  • Check out the sunset – actually enjoy the experience rather than trying to take the perfect photo.
  • Get outside and enjoy the fresh air.
  • Start a routine of unplugging one hour before you go to bed.
  • You get it: Do anything that makes your heart sing and brings a smile to your face.

Take note of how unplugging makes you feel. Anxious? Relaxed? Relieved? All of the above?

Once you’ve mastered a one-hour break from technology, work up to two hours. How about setting a goal of going tech free for an entire day? Stop sweating. It will be okay.

As always, let me know how this change fits into your helath goals.

Unplug: Leave Your Phone at Home was last modified: February 10th, 2022 by Deb Nelson

Shake Yourself Up: Wake Yourself Up

You got to work at 7:45, and you’ve been staring at your screen ever since. Excellent – it’s 10:30 already. Only a couple of hours until lunch. Well, excellent except for one thing. You’re exhausted, and you can’t really think of anything you’ve accomplished. Arghhhh!!!!!

What’s a person to do? Go old school, and set a timer of course!! Seriously? Yes. Do it: Every 45 minutes. Every day. For one week. See how much more you can accomplish than you thought possible. See how much more energy you have.

What happens when the timer goes off? You've got an opportunity to reset as you shake yourself up to wake yourself up. Click To Tweet

  • Take a walk around your office.
  • Get a glass of water.
  • Crank up the tunes.
  • Take note of how much you accomplished in the last 45 minutes.
  • Is it time for lunch? Use part of your break to go outside – walk for 15 minutes. Say hello to a stranger.
  • Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while.
  • Schedule a date with a friend.
  • Write a note (snail mail) to connect with a friend, family member, client, prospective client.

And just like that, you’re ready for another 45-minute segment. Figure out what you’ll work on for the next 45 and give it your all.

Do this for an entire week and assess:

  • How has your productivity changed?
  • Are you working in a more efficient manner?
  • Do you feel more focused?
  • Do you have more energy?
  • Did this increase your level of happiness?
  • Have you noticed any unintended consequences?

Next up? Try it again next week, and let me know what how this works for you.

Shake Yourself Up: Wake Yourself Up was last modified: August 10th, 2018 by Deb Nelson