How to get the most out of your relaxation time

In order to be effective and maintain a healthy work-life balance, we need to ensure we make the most of our personal rest and relaxation opportunities in order to return to our respective careers refreshed, revitalised and with a handle on our stress management. But how many of us are getting the proper rest we need? The types of recreational activities that you indulge in can have a major impact upon your mental and physical wellbeing impacting not only your time management, but your stress management and overall vitality.

How many of us are guilty of regarding television as a ‘well earned’ treat after a hard day or a hard week of work? Yet research indicates that television not only causes us to be more depressed, but results in diminished IQ, reduced vitality and satisfaction with life, reduced libido, increased obesity and risk of heart attack/ stroke, increased consumerism and desire to spend money and a definite negative impact upon relationships and communication!

Now this does not mean that you must throw your television set in the trash can. However, be conscious of how distracting this device is and how easily it is to spend hours of your life consumed by mindless material that you did not even plan to watch.

So instead of spending our rest and relaxation time on a pursuit that is not going to bring us satisfaction, what are the alternatives? 

Active relaxation is shown to provide far greater rewards.  Active relaxation includes activities such as outdoor activities including hiking, picnics, sports and participating in hobbies and social events.  At the end of your evening or weekend, chances are that you not only have a tan to show off, but might have lost a kilo or two and spent some really quality time with friends and family.  Active relaxation enables you to release stress and enjoy the important things in life.  To live your life, rather than the lives of synthetic creations on a television screen.

The more opportunities we can create to engage in active relaxation, the better our stress levels and the more renewed and revitalised we will feel enabling us to handle life’s everyday challenges.  Ironically, in order to rest and relax, getting active is often the best choice!  

For more information on achieving a healthy work-life balance contact us at The Time Clinic on www.timeclinic.co.za

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