Why it’s so important to switch off
Taking time out of our hectic schedules to make space for ourselves is something that many of us struggle with. I know from first-hand experience how hard it can be: for me, being busy is the “default mode”.
I really enjoy my work and find it challenging and fulfilling, plus there’s always something to be done, a new avenue to be explored or someone new to learn from. Which is probably why I find it so hard to switch off and take time out for myself. But it’s not just switching off from work that’s important. Most of us have all kinds of pressures and responsibilities in life that are hard to step away from. For some reason, we often find ourselves working long hours, prioritising family and friends, even socialising when we don’t really have the energy.
Of course, most of the time we need to try and keep all the balls in the air, but sometimes we need to shift down a gear, slow down and switch off - even if it’s only for a short time.
Recently, my daughter and I spent a night at a lovely hotel, not too far from where we live. We were only gone for just over 24 hours, but I made the decision to leave my phone at home and I was completely off the grid. It was a fascinating experiment, because initially - leaving my phone on the bed at home and getting into the car - I found that anxiety started to kick in: what if something happened, or someone needed to get hold of me? What if I needed to call someone? My daughter had her phone with her, so we had a phone for emergencies, but I really wanted the discipline of not being attached to my phone for a change. It was incredible how much more focused, reflective and present I felt for the entire trip. Because I wasn’t distracted by social media, checking the news, or reading emails, I found I had much more capacity to think things through, reflect on what was happening in my life and to generally be more present and enjoy myself. The result was that we returned from a very short trip feeling refreshed, energised and ready to face the world again.
Giving myself that time and space made me realise how important it is to slow down - even for a short time - and I'm already thinking about how I can plan some downtime into the rest of my year. There probably won’t be many more opportunities for nights away in a lovely hotel, but there are several simple steps that I can take - and you could too - to give myself a little time out, including:
Taking a walk: it can be difficult to find the time to prioritise this, but even a short walk at lunchtime can be invigorating, improve your focus and help you feel more connected with nature.
Switch off the phone: If you’re not ready to switch off completely, try limiting your time on social media, or simply leaving the phone in another room while you do something else instead - whether that’s listening to your favourite music, taking a long bath or simply sitting quietly with a cup of tea and slice of cake!
Immerse yourself in a hobby: if you follow me, you’ll know that I’ve recently started to learn the acoustic guitar, and I’m totally obsessed! A new hobby or activity is a great way to disconnect from everything else that’s happening around you.
Practise mindfulness: this is something that I’ve written extensively about in the past. It’s a great way of switching off that doesn’t require any extra time or effort - just take a moment to stop and smell the flowers (or shower gel!).
Make plans: it’s not easy to find time to switch off, so why not try writing it into your diary? You can set aside an hour each week, or even just five minutes each day, to step away from work and use the time for reflection, breathing exercises, or whatever helps you to decompress.
Whatever happens, remember to be kind and gentle with yourself. It's difficult to find the space in our lives to prioritise ourselves, so remember that it doesn't have to be perfect. Sometimes, the smallest changes can make a really big difference.
