Workaholic? Is this You? By Shelley Stockwell-Nicholas Ph.D.

Workaholic? Is this You?

By Shelley Stockwell-Nicholas Ph.D.

WORKAHOLIC?

IS THIS YOU:

Hard-charger?

Achievement-driven?

“It takes discipline for me not to work.”

“I can sleep when I’m dead.”

“Never enough…I must do more, more, more.”

If so…

GIVE ME A BREAK!

Studies show that, even for a workaholic, a micro-break reduces or prevents stress. It also boosts performance, productivity and creativity.

One study reports that a midday break, when you detach from  work, noticeably increases your energy. It also prevents “decision fatigue” and procrastination. Start small and you’ll glean BIG rewards. A five or ten minute time-out often evokes aha moments of brilliance when you get back at it.

Here are simple ways to follow the advice of a Frank Sinatra song:  “Do. Be. Do. Be. Do” Keep busy and then take time to just be.

1.     Schedule break times.

2.     Set an alarm on your phone to prompt you.

3.     Plan to do something enjoyable during your break. It could be just thinking about your favorite place in nature or petting the dog or cat… It could be drinking a nice cool glass of water!

4.     Notice the benefits from your break! This time was for YOU and you deserve it.

Oh and one more thing… Ask yourself, “How can I work smarter and not harder?” Then take five and let the answer just pop right up… and remember, relaxation is a job too… that somebody’s got to do… it might as well be YOU.

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Local Personality, Shelley Stockwell-Nicholas, PhD is a hypnotherapist, mindfulness and NLP trainer, artist and the author of 25 books. She certifies practitioners through the International Hypnosis Federation. You can call her at 310 541-4844.