Decompression

WholeLife Matrix - Health & WellBeing - Vacation/Time Off - Decompress

"There is time for departure even when there’s no certain place to go." 
 Tennessee Williams

The concept of decompression comes from deep sea divers: the longer they stay deep in the water under pressure, the higher the risk of sickness as they come back to the surface.  So too with us. A good gauge of our need to decompress is the length of time it takes us to settle in on a vacation day or week.  Can you instantly feel at ease?  Does it take a few days to settle in? Maybe you can't disconnect at all, constantly taking work calls and checking emails while the rest of the group rides the roller coasters or swims in the pool?

With the WholeLife Matrix, we recognize the importance of getting away from everyday stress to keep your mind and body healthy.  At a minimum, it is important to decompress after high stress day.  One of our favorite ideas is to schedule a "do nothing day."  This is a day that you set aside to intentionally do nothing.  You can sleep all day, start something and change your mind, anything at all.  The important thing is to stop your normal routine and let your body recharge.

We have identified four ideas that relate to the concept of decompressing:

1. Absence of Worry
2. Not answering the phone
3. Mindless Activities
4. Putting Self First

Some people have found it helpful to have a separate phone or email account for family and friends.  You can stay connected to people without being sidetracked by work concerns. Mindless activities are the ones that let you turn off the chatter in your head and just exist with whatever you have chosen.  Many would say the most important piece is to put yourself first, and use your decompression time to restore yourself so that when you reengage with the world, you are at 100%.

Are you ready to win?

Managing stress

"Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow." - Swedish Proverb

The ability to manage stress can make the difference between success or failure of your business. Stress has an impact on performance and interactions with others. The better you are at managing your own stress, the more you'll positively affect those around you and the less other people's stress will negatively affect you.

How do you know when stress is affecting you physically? Do you feel:
· Anxious, irritable, or depressed
· Uninterested in work
· Unable to get a good night sleep
· Unfocused and unable to concentrate
· Physically ill: tension headaches, stomach problems, high blood pressure, heart issues
· Withdrawn socially
· Loss of morale and drive
· Lack of control when drinking, eating or smoking

Some causes of stress:
· Fear of losing job or business
· Increased work demands due to downsizing
· Fear of not being able to perform at optimum levels at all times
· Guilt over having less time with family
· Lack of time for yourself

How to Reduce Stress:
· Begin a fitness program – walk, jog, bike, yoga – just make sure you make time to get in some cardiovascular activity to recharge your batteries and get the adrenaline flowing through your body
· Eat a balanced energizing diet, low in sugar and salt and high in dietary fiber and protein and low in saturated fats and trans fats
· Get enough sleep – eat a healthy night time snack with tryptophan and calcium
· Reduce alcohol consumption and nicotine
· Get organized – reduce bad habits and time wasters
· Get emotional, psychological, and/or physical help
· Take vacations and recharge

As a business owner, you can help reduce your employees' and your own stress by offering a support network, education, and reminders to keep stress at bay. Design a wellness program which provides stress management. Endorse and encourage physical fitness activities to help with stress. Talk to your employees and give them the ability to express their work-related issues so you can have a basis on which to make change occur. Putting programs in place can lead to reduced stress, improved productivity, and ultimately can help reduce your own stress about your business. When you are feeling good, you can be the leader your business needs you to be and you will be poised to win.

Are you ready to win?

You CAN Take a Vacation

“You find that you have peace of mind and can enjoy yourself…when you know that it was a one hundred percent effort that you gave – win or lose.” – Gordie Howe, Four-Time Stanley Cup Champion

Summer is almost here and everyone’s thoughts turn to the possibility of taking a vacation. The kids are out of school, the weather is nice, and the beach is calling. Many business owners and managers, however, feel guilty about taking time for themselves, especially in an uncertain economy.

This year, we started a new business, and took on a host of new responsibilities and challenges. Coincidentally, I have had more opportunities for vacation travel than ever before. Special events and family gatherings just seemed to all fall together, and I didn’t want to miss any of it. But how do you justify stepping away from a business that is operating at such a crucial juncture?

Get in tune with your calendar. I looked months in advance, and planned for how much time I would need to accomplish tasks. I estimated how much time I would need for each project, and made sure I had them done before I left town. I analyzed which ones could be put off until after I got back. I left nothing to guesswork.

Prepare your boss for your absence. I left detailed comments and notes on what would be happening while I was gone, along with any actions I needed him to take to keep things moving forward.

Be accessible for important deadlines. My boss has been very flexible with my vacation schedule. In return, I am making myself available to handle some important projects while I am on the road. The trick here is to really prioritize what is important. We have a few monthly deadlines cast in stone. I plan on handling only those projects by taking a few hours of my vacation near a computer.

Let go of guilt! Vacations are a time for you to relax and get inspired. Your family time should be as big a priority as your business time. The two must compliment each other or why are you in business in the first place? If I plan carefully for my absence, I can better enjoy my time away, and return to work a more productive and creative employee, ready to get back on the playing field.

Are you ready to win?