In order to relieve stress, take 60 minutes per day of quite time alone. When used properly, this hour will increase energy levels and reduce the need for sleep.
Dr. Archibald Hart is a psychologist who specializes in the stress effects of excess adrenaline. He suggests "a 60 second sabbatical" every hour, taking at least one minute for ourselves.
During this quick respite, we breathe deeply and allow the mind to wander to pleasant thoughts. Then, 60 seconds later, we feel more relaxed and invigorated.
Anyone who tries Dr. Hart's suggestion quickly appreciates its wisdom. And if taking a minute an hour makes sense, what about other intervals for ourselves? Are they a good practice also? Yes, and here are some suggestions.
Take 60 minutes per day of quite time alone.
For most active people, especially those with families, this sounds difficult. It isn't. Either take your hour all at once, or split it into, two, thirty minute sessions.
Early morning before others rise, or late evening after everyone else has retired, are good times for solitude. During this hour, contemplate ideas, situations, solutions. Meditate, practice relaxation techniques or read an inspirational book. This hour is for increasing self awareness and relaxation. It is not for recreation.
When used properly, this hour will decrease stress levels and increase energy levels. This should reduce the need for sleep, making the time taken, either early or late, a trade off.
Take 60 hours at least once per year for a private personal retreat.
During these 2 1/2 days, plan your life. Ask yourself, "What is the logical extension for my present course of living?" You need to know if where you are headed is where you want to go. On a retreat like this, go for and by our self.
Sometimes this much solitude unnerves the person on retreat. That is an interesting reaction to think about also. It might show that if we don't like to be alone with our thoughts, we might have the wrong thoughts.
Take 600 hours per year vacation time.
"What, are you crazy? That's 25 days! I can't do that." Most of us get two weeks vacation per year. If you take one week at a time and leave on Saturday, and return on Sunday, that is nine days off per week taken.
If you take both weeks at once, leave on Saturday and return Sunday, that's 17 days. Many of us get the Friday after Thanksgiving off, making it easy to put together a four day break. Nationally, we now celebrate many holidays on Monday to allow for three day weekends. Twenty-five days add up quickly.
The trick to making the most of holidays and getting in our 600 hours per year is planning. It is easy to just let a three day weekend pass without using its potential.
Sit down with a calendar and those you share your life with and target time off, far in advance. Then, once you mark it off as free time, protect it. Try to have a short break planned every 60 days. This gives everyone something to look forward to and gives you a break in routine.
Make a strong commitment to yourself. Take your minute per hour, your hour per day, your annual retreat and vacation time. Then you will reap the rewards of constant personal renewal.
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