There I was, rafting the Colorado River and checking off one of my bucket list items when my friends and I started chatting about how the river was such a poignant metaphor for life. No, we're not the first ones to come up with that of course - but it really hits home when you're literally sitting in the river thinking about the similarities.
As I looked out over the water amidst the vast desert landscape, it was a beautiful reminder of how important it is to take breaks. You know that I talk about this concept literally all day long with clients so it says something about how impactful the river was on me.
We all have moments in life of stillness and recovery (smooth water) with moments of turbulence and challenge (rapids), just like the river. But are we fully taking advantage of those moments to recharge by being present and encouraging the reset we need before that next set of rapids comes up?
If you're answer is no, I have a few tips below that we used during our down time in the raft to reset. These all apply to daily life and can help you recharge mindfully within a matter of minutes, right from your desk. Feel free to share with your team so you can all feel prepared to brave the rapids together!
Tips to Mindfully Recharge
- Be Present: What do you see, hear or feel? Intentionally notice your surroundings and name them to yourself silently or out loud. This is a mindfulness technique that can help pull you into the present moment, decrease feelings of anxiety or overwhelm and leave you feeling more focused.
- Breathe: A few slow rounds of breath can help regulate your heart rate and break the stress response. Use your favorite technique from Sama breathing to a humming breath or simply breathe noticing the movement of your torso for 3-5 rounds and see how you feel.
- Bond: Never underestimate the power of connection, especially amidst challenge. Talk to your team about what you experienced with that last project or this final quarter. Share any anxieties about a work challenge ahead so you can not only create some community around it, but design a plan to handle what's coming (even if it's a very loose plan). This sense of support can improve your team's emotional and mental health, which translates to physical wellness.
Try out these tips when you have a moment to recharge or when you need to create some down time for yourself!
If you want more ways to recharge throughout the work day, invite me to share one of my online wellness workshops with your team. I'd love to support you!
~ Tiffany