Five smart Ways to Relax at Work (while Still Looking Super Busy)
You’re not alone. Only 3% of people want to work at the office full-time. 86% of people want to work from home at least twice a week.
So many employees are being asked - or required - to return to the office. And - it’s a whole thing.
The bottom line is: sometimes, you’re gonna have to show up at the office. And - there’s certain times when you’ll find yourself sitting at your desk wondering: “Why am I even here?” (Like when half your team is gone early for a holiday and you wish you’d requested time off sooner.)
During these moments, finding ways to relax at work can make all the difference by helping you stay productive and maintaining your sanity while you count down the hours.
Why not just ditch early or phone it in and work remotely…again?
Well, hold on there, Free Willy. You’re still on the company’s dime. And - I hate to tell ya, but - “proximity bias” is real. Yep. 96% of bosses report noticing and valuing employee contributions more, when they are physically present in the office. That means a significant majority of the folks in charge view people being physically at their desk as a strong indicator of work being done.
not every team will support you finding ways to relax at work
Sadly, not everyone works in an environment where breaks are encouraged. 83% of workers in the US say they regularly experience workplace stress. I know, shocker right?
Pushing through to work harder can easily lead to mistakes and poor work performance, though. Bodies get tired. Brains get tired, too.
So, here’s the rub: ya gotta take breaks that help you truly unwind AND that least impact your visibility in the office.
SOME Ways to relax at work CAN ACTUALLY DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD.
A recent analysis by the Harvard Business Review of over 80 studies done on the subject of taking breaks at work found that:
Not all breaks are the same. 97% of people take breaks to scroll through social media (aka - “doom scrolling”), but research shows that doing so can lead to emotional exhaustion.
Timing matters. Shorter breaks are more effective in the morning, while longer breaks are more beneficial in the late afternoon.
Location is everything. Breaks taken outside in nature are far more beneficial than just stretching at your desk.
All that said…
Here’s 5 Smart ways to relax at work (based on the research):
FIND WAYS TO LAUGH - laughter releases endorphins, and endorphins help you feel good. Keep some funny reads at your desk.
Two of my favorites funny books are: Letters from a Nut by Ted Nancy and any book by The Oatmeal.
Or, find a comedian you like and stream their standup through a podcast app.
You can also keep a printed photo album of your favorite funny moments at your desk and glance at it when you need a good belly laugh.
WORK IN PRODUCTIVITY SPURTS - a productivity spurt is when you set a timer and work HARD - uninterrupted - for a period of time, followed immediately by rest for a period of time. I prefer 45/15 or 50/10 “spurts”.
When my productivity timer rings, I stop everything, leave my desk, get some fresh air outside, play with our dog, dance to some tunes or do some light breathwork for the remaining time of my hour.
This hack has made me super productive while still leaving plenty of room for me to relax at work.
PLAY OR BE CREATIVE - One study by Brigham Young University found that teams playing collaborative games saw a 20% productivity increase after just 45 minutes of play.
Think of fun ice breakers to start your meetings (The Executive Deck has some great questions and conversation starters to share with your colleagues).
Start a game group at lunch and play some simple games while you chat and eat.
You can also try crafting (I love sewing or making gift tags from scrap paper), gardening (planting flowers or watering my indoor plants does it for me) or any other creative outlet that doesn’t involve screen time.
BUST A MOVE - walk, dance, stretch - get that blood pumpin’!
The Mayo Clinic says even a 10-minute walk boosts your mood, reduces stress hormones like cortisol, and increases blood flow to the brain - which all helps reduce burnout.
Move to your favorite music, get outside if you can and drink a glass of water while you’re up. Warning, this kind of flow is contagious.
GET SENSORY - regulate your nervous system with some of simple sensory experiences -
Smell a favorite essential oil.
Sit quietly with earplugs and get cozy with a soft wrap or scarf.
Stand at a window and let the sun hit your face.
Use a face roller ball to rub in a hydrating mist.
Wash your hands and smooth on your favorite hand cream.
These simple acts are incredible ways to relax at work when you only have a few minutes.
how to respond to resistance from others when you need to take a break
And - hey, if you’re ever questioned about why you’re taking breaks, you only need to reply with:
“I need to breathe and relax for 10 minutes, and I’m scheduled to do so a few times today so I can be sure I give you all my best while making it to the finish line. How are you optimizing your performance today?
When you flip the script in this way, you state your intention without asking for permission and respectfully hold others accountable for how they’re showing up at work.
Finding ways to relax at work is really about longevity - on the job and in your life!
We all know the stories and experiences from people who haven’t taken the breaks. It doesn’t end well and you deserve better than that. Just be sure you’re staying productive and making meaningful contributions to your team. Now, go relax!
