So it´s finally Friday and whether you love your job or simply get through it, the thought of a few days off is always welcome.
Let´s be honest, the life of an executive assistant, or frankly any sort of
assistant, can be pretty demanding.
There are relentless demands on your time and what can seem like a never ending list of requirements from your executive- and at the end of the day, that is the job. But just like being a parent where the 17th request of “MUUUUM” can make you consider murder (or wine, or both), the sheer number of responsibilities involved in your job can be both overwhelming and exhausting. Being an Executive Assistant can lead to incredibly fractured days, where any and every project is broken up by requests from others. I´m guessing that if you were paid a dollar for every time someone said to you “when you get a minute, could you just..”, you´d probably have quit a millionaire by now.
So, how do you make sure that you can truly take a mental break from the office once the clock strikes 5?
I have read a LOT of articles about maintaining mental health in the workplace and frankly, most of them seemed like nonsense. Tips like “Book a spa weekend to truly disengage”- Lady, I have children and what feels like a zoo at home. The closest I´m
going to get to a spa weekend is locking myself in the bathroom and hoping the shower is loud enough to momentarily drown out the noise of my teenager asking me where something is (hint, it´s right in front of him- it´s always right in front of him).
I´m sure you´ve also seen the suggestions that you ban the use of mobile phones for a few hours a day, which would be lovely, if it weren´t for the fact that my mobile is now also my only phone, my clock, my timer, my satnav, my lifeline to my children when they´re out and also my wallet. Although I love the idea of taking a trip to the beach with just my dog and my thoughts for company, I think the café owner would object to me offering nothing but good vibes as a method of payment for my coffee.
So, what can we do to disengage? (other than wine - there´s always wine) Well, a few things. I decided that I would look through the top tips and give you a realistic alternative that might just actually help. I won´t suggest things like preparing overnight oats with Manuka honey for a burst of energy during the day because let´s be honest, most of these tips require planning (more work), money, and most importantly a seemingly unlimited amount of time when nothing else is expected of you. (As an aside, if anyone could explain to me how overnight oats aren´t just cold porridge, I would be fascinated). Ok, so lets get to it, we´re going to look at the top tips for energising your weekends and disengaging with your work.
These are the five top tips I found online and underneath I´ve put my alternatives. You´ll recognise them easily, they´re the ones that don´t sound like something Gwyneth Paltrow would suggest just after she´s tried to sell you a candle smelling like her
vagina.
Tip #1 - Manage Technology Mindfully
Designate specific times for checking work emails or messages, maintain separate
devices for work and personal use, and create tech-free zones in your home to promote a physical and mental separation from work12.
On the off chance you don´t have a seven-bedroom house, creating a tech-free zone might not be a possibility for you. Instead, you could set do-not-disturb times for emails, teams, slack, etc on your phone and limit yourself to only seeing work notifications if you actually choose to. This way, you don´t have to pretend to be living in Little House on the Prairie and can still have access to the technology you need in your everyday life.
Tip #2 - Engage in Outdoor Activities this Weekend
Participate in outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or photography to provide a
refreshing break from work, promoting relaxation and disengagement from work-
related stress3.
So, this one is tricky, because let´s be honest, it´s probably a good idea. However, on
the off chance that you´re like me and don´t like hiking or biking and can´t afford a
good camera, then at least try to get outside. Or open a window. Fresh air can both
energise and help you sleep, both of which are important in order to help you feel
rejuvenated. Worst case scenario, stick your head outside and take a few deep
breaths to help you slow down your heart rate and relax your nervous system.
Tip #3 - Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation
Incorporate mindfulness practices like meditation or yoga into your routine to
promote relaxation, manage stress, and help disengage from work-related thoughts.
This never works for me (although I don´t mind yoga so much.) I find meditation to
be impossible because within about 15 seconds my brain starts thinking “Is it
working yet? Am I relaxed?” What does work for me however is listening to some music. I stick my headphones on so I can block out other noise and just listen to music for a bit. And no, I don´t listen to Mozart or anything that could be considered even slightly culturally enriching. Pink and Taylor Swift all the way!
Tip #4 - Pursue Creative Hobbies
Engage in creative hobbies or activities that you enjoy, which can help divert your
mind from work-related concerns, fostering relaxation and a sense of fulfilment.
I get why people suggest this, but not everyone is creative and sometimes it feels
like hard work to try and inspire yourself. I think really, just try and find anything
that you enjoy doing that is completely separate from your job. Like cooking? Go nuts, everyone has to eat, so why not have some fun with it? Not a chef? what about some gardening? Even pottering with a few plant pots on a balcony or windowsill can take your mind off of things. There´s something very satisfying about
doing something with your hands, so whether it is painting, writing, cooking, or gardening, try doing something that involves physical concentration and you´ll be surprised by how much it can calm a racing brain.
Tip #5 - Establish a Transition Ritual
Create a ritual or routine to transition from work mode to personal mode, such as a
short walk, a relaxation exercise, or a specific playlist of music. This can help signal
your mind to disengage from work and enter a more relaxed state.
This is a great idea if you can do it, but often our lives are a bit too hectic and a bit too erratic to do so. My evenings can consist of cooking, taking my son places, or working. It´s not easy to fit in a transition when I don´t always know what´s happening that day. However, there´s always something that you need to do each evening. Whether it´s walking the dog or eating your evening meal, try and make that the moment that your office job is over for the day.
And there you have it. My 5 tips for trying to find a way to relax and energize yourself this weekend. Hopefully, you can find some inspiration here, but let me know if you can think of anything else.
We´d love to hear your comments!
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