Finding my unplug button: A journey to renewed work life balance

Remember those nagging whispers I wrote about? The low thrum of depletion, the elusive sleep, the general sense of being constantly "on"? Well, after a demanding period, I finally took my own advice and dedicated last week to hitting the "unplug" button. It wasn't about a grand escape, but rather a conscious effort to reset in the everyday, unwinding, catching up on life, and actively seeking strategies for a better work - life balance. And now, sitting here in the midst of a new week, I can honestly say I'm feeling a significant shift.

It wasn't a dramatic transformation, no sudden epiphany on a mountaintop. Instead, it was a gradual softening, a gentle easing of the tension that had become my unwelcome companion. That persistent low-grade anxiety? It's dialed down several notches. The mental juggling act still exists, but it feels less frantic, more manageable.

One of the most noticeable changes is in my sleep. While I'm not suddenly a champion sleeper, my mind isn't racing quite as much, and I'm falling asleep with more ease and waking up feeling genuinely rested, not just less exhausted.

Physically, I feel a lightness I hadn't realized I was missing. The constant tension in my shoulders has eased, and that bone-tired exhaustion has been replaced by a more sustainable energy. This week of intentional rest wasn't just about feeling good in the moment (though that was definitely a bonus!), but about identifying sustainable practices I can weave into my routine to prevent the build-up of stress and that creeping feeling of depletion.

Here's a peek into some of the methods I explored:

The Pampering Power of Touch:

• The soothing facial: There's something incredibly calming about lying back and letting someone else take care of your skin. If you know me, you know I love some pampering, and my time spent at HeyDay was a sensory experience that forced me to simply be in the moment. My skin felt great, but more importantly, my mind felt a little less cluttered.

• The relaxing massage: Pure bliss. An hour dedicated to melting away tension held in my head and neck. It was a reminder of the physical toll stress can take and the profound relief that comes with letting go.

• The targeted fix (my tech neck savior): Following the purely relaxing massage, I booked another specifically to address the knot of tension that had taken up permanent residence in my neck and shoulders, courtesy of hours hunched over my laptop. This wasn't pampering or any kind of relaxation; it was a necessary act of physical maintenance, and more like a physical therapy session, digging into the tension I'd politely ignored for too long.

  
  

The Joy of Solitude and Simple Pleasures:

• The sacred solo lunch: This might sound simple, but carving out time for a lunch enjoyed in my own company, without the distraction of emails or calls, was surprisingly restorative - so I did this more than once! I chose cozy cafes, savoured my meal, and simply observed the world around me.

• The therapeutic tap of the keys (or pen): I rediscovered the simple pleasure of writing without an agenda. Jotting down random ideas or the act of putting words down felt like a release.

• Lost in the pages: Remember the feeling of getting completely lost in a good book? I made a conscious effort to carve out dedicated reading time, away from screens. Diving into another world provided a welcome escape and a chance to quiet the mental chatter. Often, this actually led to a great nap on the couch (see below!)

• The glorious nap: Oh, the humble nap! I'd forgotten how powerful a short burst of daytime sleep can be. Allowing myself to surrender to a 20-30 minute nap when I felt the afternoon slump hit was incredibly rejuvenating.

  
  

Moving with Intention:

• Finding my center with Pilates: I also made time for a few Pilates sessions this week. What I love about Pilates is the way it combines physical movement with a real focus on breath and body awareness. It's not just about building strength (though it definitely does that!), but about finding a sense of grounding and control. The focused movements required my full attention, effectively pushing the mental clutter aside and building a very sore booty simultaneously...

Creating Boundaries in a Connected World:

• The sweet silence of switched-off notifications: This was a game-changer. Turning off non-essential notifications on my phone and laptop created pockets of uninterrupted focus and significantly reduced the feeling of being constantly "on." The world didn't end, and the peace it brought was remarkable. And the simple act of switching off notifications? It created these beautiful, uninterrupted stretches of time that felt like a true luxury.

This week wasn't a magic bullet, and I know the pressures of work will return. This week wasn't about escaping reality; it was about reconnecting with myself and identifying practical ways to manage the demands of my career and life.

The key takeaway for me is the importance of proactive self-care. It's not about waiting until you're completely burnt out to finally take a break. It's about recognizing those early signals – the subtle shifts in sleep, appetite, energy levels – and intentionally creating space to recharge. Unwinding isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. It's about experimenting, paying attention to what truly nourishes your mind and body, and making those moments a priority.

Coming out of this week, I'm also armed and committed to some really tactical strategies that I plan to implement consistently:

• Daily movement is non-negotiable: I will continue to prioritize exercise every single day, even if it's just getting out of the house for a brisk walk.

• Walking meetings for the win: Further to the above, I'm going to ensure at least one of my morning meetings is a "walk and talk" session. My step count was embarrassingly low far too often, and this is a simple way to integrate movement into my workday.

• Protected focus time: I will block out dedicated time in my calendar each afternoon for actual focused work, completely free from meetings. This will allow me to dive deep into tasks without constant interruptions.

• End-of-day planning ritual: I'm also blocking time at the end of my working day to plan for the day ahead. This helps me switch off my work brain knowing I have a roadmap for tomorrow.

• Hydration is key: It sounds basic, but I will consciously focus on drinking plenty of water throughout the day. This will avoid the headaches I unintentionally experienced, whether through dehydration or otherwise, drinking more water is never a bad idea...

• Setting boundaries and saying "no": Moving forward, I will be more mindful about setting expectations upfront and not automatically saying "yes" to every request that comes my way. Protecting my time and energy is crucial.

Wish me luck as I try to maintain this newfound sense of balance and integrate these tactical changes into my routine.