Experiencing Burnout? Implement Quiet Time!
When is the last time you spent the day or even an hour or two in a state of solitude? No meetings, no screens, no distractions. For most of us, finding time to just “be” happens rarely, if at all. Busy-ness is pervasive and expected these days. And some may be thinking, being busy is a good thing! I want to be productive and accomplish things!
But what happens when we are constantly doing, striving, and focused on an endless stream of obligations? Burnout. Low energy. Lack of enthusiasm for living life to the fullest. We need to find a balance between accomplishing and relaxing. Work and play. Doing and being.
More than any other time in history, we are bombarded with incoming information. Just filtering through what is important to us and what is not is exhausting. The expectation to always be plugged in is draining our joy.
So what is the solution? One thing you can implement today is a scheduled quiet time. Start with something that feels doable to you, perhaps 2-5 minutes of just sitting in a quiet place and focusing on your breath. Maybe you can fit in a 10-minute walk in nature. Perhaps you can create a simple bedtime routine that includes a few minutes to sit or lie quietly and allow the mind chatter and the breathing to slow. When you feel like you are able to stick to a quiet time once a day, try adding another one in. Regular breaks throughout the day are ideal, so a few periods of quiet time daily will likely be more beneficial than one longer stretch only once a week. But both are great!
From a physiological perspective, research has indicated that intentional silence can reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and even increase memory function. You can take action to create better balance for your whole body, by doing less and being present in a quiet, peaceful state. Give it a try!
Nicole Topakas, Registered Yoga Teacher