Most of us relish the summer sun. It means that we get to spend some quality time in the great outdoors. It means we get to eat brunch al fresco with our friends and enjoy the kaleidoscope of colors that the sun provides us with in the mornings and evenings. But there are also some of us who dread the coming of summer. Especially those of us who know that we’ll be cooped up in our offices (or home offices) from dawn till dusk, running our businesses. Under these circumstances, the summer can seem like a thief, designed to rob us of our energy, our enthusiasm and the comfort that comes from wearing clean, dry, sweat-free clothes. Indeed, many burnt out entrepreneurs can feel the onset of the summer blues at a time when their teams seem newly energized and renewed by the sun’s rays.
The good news is that if you feel your energy levels are dipping, your stress levels are getting the better of you and that you want to find a quiet corner to sleep for five and a half months, there are lots of ways in which you can re-energize without even taking up your whole lunch break. Try these for a different kind of power lunch…
Tai Chi
Tai Chi is a wonderful way to relieve stress, improve concentration, improve mental clarity, boost your mood and return to your desk feeling transformed. You’ll even sleep better at night too! Take a look at the Tai Chi For Health Institute for more information. You won’t need to worry about working up a sweat as the movements are very gentle. But this ancient and graceful martial art will strengthen your body while awakening your mind.
Mindfulness Meditation
Only have five minutes to spare? Need to get outside your head, organize your thoughts and boost your mood? Sounds like you desperately need Mindfulness Meditation in your life. It only takes a few minutes and, when done every day, it can improve mental clarity, alleviate anxiety and depression and keep busy entrepreneurs from burning out. You can do it in your office, at home, and even in the car. It takes some getting used to, especially when it comes to quieting your busy mind. But you’ll be amazed by how effectively it brings calm and clarity.
Grounding
Throughout the day our bodies pick up a lot of electrical energy. Especially when we are surrounded by computers, smart phones, tablets and other devices. Unless we do something with that energy it can lead to inflammation and a host of health problems. Grounding that energy by walking barefoot in grass or soil can restore electrical balance to our bodies with a range of physical and mental health benefits.
Take a brief jog
Finally, if you have the facilities to take a shower, a brief 20 minute jog or bike ride can flood the brain with mood boosting endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. It also gives you an opportunity to rid your body of the stress of the day and prevent yourself from spending the whole day sitting. Which carries mental and physical health risks of its own.
