I See You Feeling Drained: Go for a Walk
February 16, 2023
Do any of these describe you?
Tired has become an emotion, perhaps your overriding emotion.
You're getting cranky at the smallest provocation.
Your to-do list is so long that you feel so overwhelmed that you can't even start.
You're wracking your brain and just can't muster up the creativity to think of a solution to put out that latest fire that just cropped up . . . for the 15,000th time.
(Corollary to the above) You're absolutely positive there simply is no solution.
It's time for a break. I'm serious. I hear you . . . . I know you're saying . . . .
But . . . the deadline . . . I can't change the deadline.
But . . . I'm the boss, I have to be "on-it" 100% of the time.
But . . . If I just sit here in front of this computer and make one more cup of coffee, I can do it.
But . . . [fill in the blank].
Nope. Stop. Pull your hand away from the mouse. Back your chair away from the desk and stand up. Let the excuses why it's impossible to take a break right now run through your head and out one ear.
Leave your phone on your desk. Go outside. Take a 10 minute walk, whatever pace you want -- you're not racing anyone. Make it a walk around the block -- that gives you a path when you're brain is feeling amped up and pulled in too many directions.
Still feeling drained and confused and frustrated? No problem. Now, you can grab your earbuds and your phone, but you can't read your work messages or join a meeting. You're going for a longer walk this time but you can call that go-to person who is always 100% going to be there for your venting. Or you can listen to your favorite podcast -- not one where you're learning things for work, but one that always makes you laugh. Make it at least a 30 minute walk, 45-60 minutes is better.
I guarantee that at this point, while you haven't solved world peace, you're feeling at least a touch better, calmer, a little more focused. And the time spent taking that break will have been 1000% worth it, because you've rejuvenated some of your creative problem-solving and gotten yourself at least partially un-stuck.
Make it a habit to go for a walk around the block every day, not necessarily at the same time every day, but rather when you really need a refresh -- maybe after an emotionally-intensive meeting, or when you hit writer's block, or when you see the sun pop out of the clouds. It is always worth it. You will never come back from a walk feeling worse than when you started. Maybe only the tiniest bit better, but never worse.
I promise.
