Remember the days before email, mobile phones, and the internet? Life was so much simpler back then. You love the convenience that technology has brought into your life, but while it continues to amaze you, it also contributes to your everyday stress. This is why being able to relax is important.

As a professional, you are prone to burnout and overload. Just think about all the roles you have to play (entrepreneur, manager, mother, consultant?) and the tools you have to use. It can be quite challenging to juggle all the tasks and now more than ever, it is crucial to find time to relax and recharge. In order to enhance productivity and creativity at work, as well as to function better in our home/family life, we know we need to take breaks.

There are many ways to recharge of course, and we’re pretty sure you have your own list of favorite things to do. Recharging is all about taking time off, allowing yourself to relax and set aside work. Studies have shown that recharging actually helps us to work smarter, so if you have not done that in a while, it’s about time you did.

Recharging is also about taking control of technology, (and not the other way around) and saying no to interruptions. Whether we decide to take a short break or a sabbatical, recharging allows us to rethink our present situation and find ways to make it better.

Here’s a list of five things you can do in order to recharge:

Take a walk.

When you feel emotionally drained at work, take a walk and clear your head. Let your mind wander and think relaxing thoughts. Think happy thoughts. You know you cannot perform at your best when you are stressed, so a let short walk clear your head. You can then go back to the task with renewed strength and vigor.

Travel–with friends!

Most of us have at least two  full weeks off per year from work. Take advantage of this time to schedule a fabulous holiday! Think SATC girls getaway to Abu Dhabi. Do absolutely nothing that is work-related. We highly recommend an all-girl getaway, but it doesn’t really matter if you’re taking your honey or your kids with you. Having fun, laughing until your stomach hurts and forgetting responsibilities for a moment will recharge you better than anything!

Enroll in a yoga class.

The daily grind can wear down even the most resilient working woman. Instead of a weekend getaway, why not try a yoga class? Yoga has proven to be great for calming the mind, helping you refocus and relax. If you have not tried yoga yet, ask a friend to take you. Find out why millions of people all over the world are hooked in this ancient practice. A weekly practice can be amazing for your mind and body!

Hit the spa or salon.

Ah, the relaxing feel of a facial or the amazing comfort of a massage. If travel is not possible at this time, just hit the spa or the salon. Treat yourself to a luxurious beauty treatment, get a new haircut, or have your nails done. A nice foot scrub or a hot stone massage can work wonders for you!

Remember, the most important thing is to take time away from work so you can recharge and refocus. It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do, as long as you take a break from the stresses of your work life. You’ll find that even a short time away can help increase your productivity, widen your perspective and ultimately help you work smarter! 🙂