On THe jOB-Smart about Leisure

HEY,!

After that Balance article, I thought writing about "Getting Smart about Leisure".

If you read my article in my "On The Job" column, titled "Balance" posted on o1/10/2010, then you know this article is a great follow up. Having a well balanced life includes getting involved in leisure activities for unwinding and rejuvenation purposes. You will feel more relaxed, refreshed and become more able to handle well, the day to day operations in you work place.

So here we go! Here's an article from a local Michigan Hospital about leisure activities and it's relevancy to a healthy life, from a medical perspective:

Though leisure time itself may be for rest and relaxation, the same skillful planning and prioritizing you use at work can help you to get more enjoyment out of your free time. Scan the list provided with this article and write down the ideas you might like to try. Put a check by those you can put into action immediately! Check only those items that might really work for you. Checking too many items or those that don't suit your temperament will just turn leisure planning into one more chore to do! *Leisure activity is supposed to fun and or at least, calming.

THE LIST;

A) Guard your free time by learning to say no!

B) Keep a list of things you'd like to do in your free time. When that time arrives, consult your list, pick an activity and do it.

C) Turn of the TV one day a week and fill that time creatively.

D) Write leisure activities into your weekly schedule just like other appointments.

Keep the appointment!

E) Leave your work worries at the office. Write work projects and deadlines on a piece of paper, leave them in your desk drawer and forget about them until you return to work.

F)Set aside one evening a week for a meeting with friends or co-workers after work, perhaps for a racquetball game, pizza or a potluck dinner.

G) Make transition time between work and what comes next. Play a special tape in the car and take a scenic or less-traveled route home.

H) When you get home, change into comfortable, fun clothes that make you feel good.

I) One or two evenings a week, make it a habit to set aside a special time for yourself before tending to the kids or other home responsibilities. Exercise, read, phone (or e-mail, text, twitter) a friend, watch the sunset, (go outside) water your garden, take a slow walk or do nothing at all! THIS IS YOUR your time for yourself.

J) Choose leisure activities that balance out your work life. If you sit behind a desk all day, get out and do something physical after work.

See you later, people