What's your preferred method for relaxing in between tasks during the work week?
I love my fidget spinner! #anxiety #psychology #college
15 answers
Jared Chung
CareerVillage.org TeamJared’s Answer, CareerVillage.org Team
Exercise, even if it's just little bits of exercise, is a proven stress manager. One of the most effective ways for me to relax in between work tasks is to use the Pomodoro Technique. This system was designed to improve personal productivity, however, I find that it really helps a lot as well with stress, relaxation, and anxiety. One of the important aspects of Pomodoro is that it breaks most of the work day work up into 25-minute chunks, with 5 minute breaks in between, and a slightly longer break (15 minutes) every few chunks. So as a result, the things I relax with tend to be 5 minute activities or 15 minute activities. Exercise can't always be done in 5 minutes, so I substitute standing up, stretching my neck, etc. Sometimes I do a few minutes of jumping jacks. Pretty good. I also might eat a snack, drink something, read a news article, look at Reddit, or watch a short video on YouTube, but only until the timer is up and then I'm straight to the next Pomodoro!
I can't do Pomodoro every day (it works well for some kinds of tasks more than others in my opinion), and your mileage may vary (some people love it but others don't). I find that I tend to do better when I have a "Pomodoro partner" who starts and stops on the same schedule as me. That's great. And I can't do more than about 7 pomodoros in a day without getting pretty tired. But the productivity is great!
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G. Mark’s Answer
I read stuff about science or entertainment. If the science is related to my work, so much the better. It gets me geared up with new ideas.
Shelbi’s Answer
I work in a very high-stress job in the travel/tourism world and what our department has decided to do is use an empty desk and fill it with items that bring us joy and can take our mind off of work. It is an electronics free-zone and has items like:
- Play-dough
- Colouring books
- Word Searches
- Sudoku
- Puzzles
- etc
This helps us get our minds off of work for a few minutes a day and allows us the opportunity to de-stress before continuing to work. My personal favourite is the colouring book.
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Jennifer’s Answer
Jad’s Answer
paula lempart
paula’s Answer
I find that exercise really helps me manage the work week. On days that I get up and get my workout in, I am more energized and focused. I bought a spin bike and an IPAD and joined the Peloton virtual ap. I also try to get outside and throw the tennis ball for my Golden Retriever, Oakley. He is OBSESSED and could play fetch for 30 minutes straight if I let him!
Simeon’s Answer
Gloria’s Answer
I walk. It is always good to just walk away from where you are sitting. I sit for a living. Before COVID, I worked in an office that had this wonderful set of long rectangular floors with wide aisles. I would walk away from my desk and go walking there. Seven laps was a mile. It was a treat since I could do every day no matter the weather. Now that working is at home, I make sure to go outside. Fresh air and nature always clear the mind. Also you can walk a little bit faster since you are less likely to have people to avoid. With the walking I listen to music, podcasts, or just the sound of the wind. It is nice to get away from a task, even for a few minutes. It really does clear you head. I also work through my problems or anxiety. The physical action seems to calm my racing mind.
Gloria
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Molly’s Answer
I enjoy going on walks outside for 5-15 minutes and practice mindful exercises like memorizing street names, counting different colors of cars, memorizing colors of houses. Little things to keep me mindful and present :)