ISO ways to decompress from work

[Anonymous]

I am in search of ways to decompress from work.

I am on vacation right now and have not been on vacation from work in close to a year. Short of having my spouse hit me in the head with a rubber mallet, what are some ways to decompress and not think about work?

[Anonymous]

Do not check your BB. At all.

And if you do, DO NOT respond to ANY email - no matter how innocuous it might seem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do not check your BB. At all.

And if you do, DO NOT respond to ANY email - no matter how innocuous it might seem.

Unfortunately there is a project going on at work and I have to check my email for messages to read (and respond to) for a specific small group of people.

I fear that I have not had a break in such a long time that I have forgotten how to shut off thoughts about work. My spouse says that I need a few more days to disengage but it will finally happen eventually. I am not so sure.

[Anonymous]

If you are really having that tough of a time, and if you really HAVE to check some email, I suggest setting aside a dedicated amount of time (30 minutes?) per day to dedicate to work. Go back to your hotel room or wherever, go away from family, don't do anything else during that time and focus on work. That shouls hopefully clear your mind enough that you don't feel the need to dwell on it the rest of the day.

[Anonymous]

When I had a very stressful job and had problems decompressing, I took up tai chi. I also do yoga now and find similarities between them. It doesn't take long once you learn to do it. I realize it's not likely you can learn to do them while on vacation but it's something to think about when you get back. In the meantime, I've always found physical activity or window shopping could get my mind off work. It's one of the reasons I love Home Depot, Ikea and the Container Store.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are really having that tough of a time, and if you really HAVE to check some email, I suggest setting aside a dedicated amount of time (30 minutes?) per day to dedicate to work. Go back to your hotel room or wherever, go away from family, don't do anything else during that time and focus on work. That shouls hopefully clear your mind enough that you don't feel the need to dwell on it the rest of the day.

Great idea -- thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I had a very stressful job and had problems decompressing, I took up tai chi. I also do yoga now and find similarities between them. It doesn't take long once you learn to do it. I realize it's not likely you can learn to do them while on vacation but it's something to think about when you get back. In the meantime, I've always found physical activity or window shopping could get my mind off work. It's one of the reasons I love Home Depot, Ikea and the Container Store.

Two great suggestions - thank you! I have done yoga in the past, but I have been unable to find the time to get in sessions during my hectic work schedule. (But given where I am now, I think I need to make time.) As for the physical activity, I went on a long (wonderful) hike yesterday which did help a bit.

[Anonymous]

When I am work-crazed, I find very hard physical activity (sweating, heart racing) is the only thing that shuts down the thoughts.