Restoring Your Calm - A Weekly Plan
Finding calm in the midst of a busy week can be difficult and sometimes can feel impossible. However, calm can be created even in the midst of a storm of deadlines and commitments. In this post we layout some ideas and ways to restore calm in your work life balance that (1) does not break the bank and (2) does not require that you expend a great deal of planning and effort to execute.
Monday : The work week begins and a flurry of emails to review and respond pour in. Find a quiet green space within a few minutes of walking. Take your lunch and your head phones and escape for 30 minutes of food followed by 30 minutes of “me” time. Set a timer and listen to a meditation audio. You will be back to zen calm and ready to tackle the rest of the day.
Tuesday: Exercise is the ticket to releasing stress today. Lunch starts with a 30 minute walk. End with a stretch and enjoy a nice meal. No guilt and your head is clear to take on the day’s challenges. You go girl!
Wednesday: Hump day has arrived. The alarm clock signaled the start of an amazing day. While you brush your teeth or in the shower, try some positive affirmations. Here are a few to try:
I am amazing and I am ready for my light to shine!
Today is a day that will be filled with goodness and great things!
Today is the day I launch my dreams into action!
I am smart, I am talented and I am going to crush it today!
Thursday: The weekend looms near, but not close enough. Start making plans for fun things to experience and explore with friends over the weekend. Exercise is back in the picture today. Take your bike to work or bring it with you for a lunch time bike ride to grab some food. No guilt and a great way to de-stress.
Friday: Finally, the day has arrived. Time to be social. Grab drinks with friends after work or a new love interest and celebrate the end of an amazing week.
Saturday: Exercise is again on the menu, this time in the form of a fun filled day. Take off to the beach to walk from one end to the other. Maybe play some volleyball with friends, join a pick up game and frolic in the sun, surf and sand. Be sure to pack some water and healthy lightweight snacks ( freeze dried fruits/veg, a banana and a small bag of nuts will do the trick). No beach where you are? No problem, take your dog or offer to take a friend /neighbor’s dog for a walk in the nearby park or local wooded trail. Stick to places that have decent numbers of fellow day hikers for safety. Maybe meet the gang for a game of paintball or capture the flag. Learn a new skill like paddle boarding, yoga, pasta making. Check Meet Up and see if there are any groups doing fun things you can join in on. Either way you are sure to burn calories and have a great time. Afterwards come home take a nap and get ready to hit the town for dinner and the social scene.
Sunday: Ahh, the day of rest. Sleep in and fall into a wonderful bath of warm water and a good read. Put on your favorite music and get some house cleaning done in bliss. Cooking is on the menu for today. Prepping your week’s lunch options to grab and go. Head out to the yard to do some gardening and finish the day well rested, curled up with a good read and ready to start another amazing week.
There you have it, an easy to implement plan to restore calm and balance into your busy life. Modify as needed. Add new adventures, new skills and you have a recipe to make new friends and enjoy life.
Enjoy!
Share in the comments some of the ways you have added calm and balance to your week.