KooooooooooL

So you feel overworked all the time? You also feel that the amount of time and energy you put in are just not being appreciated and naturally, all this is leading to increased stress levels and making you long for that annual vacation of yours. Just one small problem. It is not due for the next three months. So what do you do then? Well you opt for the next best option, which is to de-stress yourself and have a vacation even while working! Its not the same as a week at the beach, but it’ll keep you from burning out completely or from being too exhausted to move when you finally do take time off.

The problem that most working professionals face these days is that they think in all-or-nothing terms. So on vacation days they relax and play but when Monday approaches, they leave aside all thoughts of partying and having fun and just concentrate on work. Great for the career not for your health. So opt for these stress-busting tips and see the difference in your life-style and mood yourself.

Take a Power Nap

When you find yourself yawning in the middle of a conversation, it’s time to surrender! Lock your door, take the phone off the hook and set your watch for 10 minutes. Sit with your feet propped up, stretch out on a rug or curl up on a sofa. Close your eyes, take a few deep, slow breaths and rest - just as if you were out in a hammock taking an old-fashioned, lazy-days-ofsummer nap.

Indulge Yourself

Think about a treat that you haven’t had in a while and then go out and look for it. It might be something that you adored as a child like a tall glass of Hot Chocolate Fudge sundae.

Wash Away the Stress

What better way to escape for a quick respite than to take a nice, long, hot bath? It can be soothing, sensual, quiet or stimulating. If it’s warm and happens to be raining, take a walk, lifting your face to the raindrops. If you’re near the ocean, stop to listen; if not, listen to a tape of the ocean waves. As you indulge your senses, imagine the water washing away any stress-factors - toxic people, toxic thoughts, toxic fears.

Engage in Vacation Play

One of the problems with all-or-nothing thinking is that we engage in certain activities only on vacation, when we could enjoy them anytime. True, you can’t scuba dive in your backyard or go deep-sea fishing from your office window, but there are many vacation-type activities that you can do anywhere. Stop and read one chapter of a beach novel, or work on a crossword puzzle for 10 minutes. Chat with someone you care about. Share a few jokes. By briefly disengaging, you’ll be more mentally alert when you resume “work.” Ever notice how solutions come to you in the shower, on a run or when you’re weeding the garden? That’s the power of a mini vacation.

Laugh Out Loud

When you’re feeling weary, is there any better way to recharge than a hearty laugh? Laughter not only lifts your spirit, but new research indicates it burns calories as well. Need help? Tell a joke or ask someone else to tell you one. Read today’s comics, buy someone a Dilbert card or flip through your Calvin and Hobbes calendar until you experience a true belly laugh. It’s impossible to laugh and feel burdened at the same time. Don’t wait for vacation to refuel. Do it now, wherever you are!