Help! The inner calm I found on vacation is gone
Getting back to work after a long break can be tough. Some people find that being unplugged for a few weeks calmed their mind. Coming back has only started winding it up again. Back to back meetings, a growing to do list, and technology pulling us in multiple directions. It’s like we never took a break.
Don’t despair! You are in good company.
How can you maintain that inner calm while getting back to work?
There are two exercise that might be helpful. Both take less than 10 seconds.
- Direct your attention far away from your head. Start by feeling gravity pulling you down, maybe noticing your butt in the chair or your feet on the ground. The further you place your attention away from your head, the less likely your mind will get all wound up. You might even maintain awareness of gravity while you get back to work. As you start checking email, can you simultaneously feel the effects of gravity on one part of your body?
- Use strong intention. What do you want to do right now? Can you put it into words? Stay on that task until you explicitly decide to do something else. Then repeat. If you are struggling to decide what to do right now, go to #1 first.
How are you helping your ease back into working effectively? Comment below!