Taking Mini-breaks to Recharge your Creative Juices

Thursday 12th November 2009 | 4 comments

I am busy at the moment, really busy. (Actually, REALLY REALLY busy is more like it...)

So I devoured with immediate interest the Harvard blog post by Gina Trapani on preventing burnout by taking a year-long creative sabbatical. My immediate reaction was 'Great idea, but maybe next lifetime'.

Clearly it wasn't just me,because her next post was about taking micro-sabbaticals. Very practical.

There were some great ideas in the post and in the comments that followed. Things like using commuting time to chill out or meditate (though not if you drive to work, natch...), getting some physical exercise or just hanging out in nature.

It got me thinking about 5 minute 'spacers' I could put into my day, in order to survive the coming weeks with some grace and dignity - and stay fresh enough to actually deliver competent work!

Here's my list, in no particular order, and each taking about 5 minutes:

  1. Meditate
  2. Breathe
  3. Move my body...jiggling, dancing, shaking, whatever
  4. Scan my body and relax the muscles that are tense
  5. Make a cup of tea and vague out while the jug boils
  6. Drink a cup of tea in my garden
  7. Pick some fresh herbs to add to dinner, and really smell them
  8. Write about my day
  9. Write about my fears
  10. Write about my favourite places
  11. Do some juggling (this is only relaxing if you can already juggle, though!)
  12. Visualise a favourite place, somewhere that makes me feel relaxed and spacious
  13. Visualise taking a long cooling shower (now that actually taking one is a no-no)
  14. Visualise the fun activities I will do with friends and family and dog over the coming summer break
  15. Remind myself that this time will pass!

So, that's my list - and I am going to make sure I do at least two of them a day.

What about you? What do you do for a quick refresh? Share your ideas with us...

Tags: rushing, creativity, balance, recharge

Comments

  1. I always try and take a walk every day with the dog, or visit the gym a couple of times a week. It takes 30minutes and you feel so much better.

    Posted by Belinda Bowey | Thursday 12th November 2009 @ 4:40pm

  2. I love to walk, too. It gets my mind and body refreshed at once. if I could only train our labrador to behave a bit better when we were out, it would be totally relaxing :)

    Posted by Joanna Maxwell | Thursday 12th November 2009 @ 4:55pm

  3. Hi Joanna
    thanks for reminding me of what I need to do most - Meditate! I've noticed since I haven't been doing it regularly, I've been feeling sluggish and scattered mentally, not achieving much at all...and I resolve to get back into it!
    cheers, marianne

    Posted by Marianne Hamilton | Thursday 12th November 2009 @ 6:07pm

  4. What fascinates me, Marianne, is why I always forget to meditate EXACTLY when I need it most...not sure why.

    Posted by Joanna Maxwell | Thursday 12th November 2009 @ 9:24pm

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