Comments on: Do You Know How To Switch Off?

By: SharonHH

SharonHH — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:31:22 +0000

I love the water, John, and I find looking at water or swimming very relaxing. It's a great way to contemplate.

By: SharonHH

SharonHH — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:30:47 +0000

Thanks for your good wishes, Kristin. It seems that balance is a never-ending quest, but it's one I don't mind undertaking.

By: SharonHH

SharonHH — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:30:06 +0000

Good luck with those, Ashok. As John mentioned, exercise can be a great way to switch off.

By: ashok

ashok — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 06:10:33 +0000

I'm doing a lot of "switching off" I shouldn't be doing right now: I have two books I need to get read before I start revising the dissertation draft with a sense of "this is it," and instead I'm blog hopping.

On a more serious note: best way to switch off is go for a walk somewhere and explore. I live near Philadelphia – a short train ride takes me into the city – so this isn't hard for me.

By: SharonHH

SharonHH — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:46:30 +0000

Yes, I find exercise a good way of clearing the mind. Good tips, John

By: Kristin

Kristin — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 15:44:58 +0000

I feel like I'm finally coming back into work mode after several years of foggy "switched off" time. I've always been a hard worker and once I learned to step back a little and take a break, it just seemed to good. But then everything else seems to go with that: general motivation, self-confidence, any ability to focus… I'm glad to be back on the ball again. Seeking a more balanced life somewhere between the two extremes is difficult. Good luck with your trial! I hope to hear how it goes!

By: John Bardos

John Bardos — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 05:02:36 +0000

I think the best way to completely switch off is through distance sports. I like running, cycling and swimming for different reasons. Running is great because it can be done anywhere. Cycling is good because you can travel farther and longer. A two hour run is a long time, but a 4 hour bike ride is not so bad. Swimming is so meditative because you can't hear the outside world. There is just something about concentrating on keeping your form and the rhythm of rolling from side to side.

Distance sports force you to turn your thoughts inward and just think about the next minute or so. It is very meditative and destroys all stress. Travel is great but it can a lot of work and planning, which in itself is stressful. Travel is not the same type of switching off.

By: Sharon Hurley Hall

Sharon Hurley Hall — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:11:36 +0000

It’s a hard life for web junkies, Anil I sometimes wonder if I would be more efficient if I unplugged a bit, but can’t bring myself to do it.

By: Anil

Anil — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:27:47 +0000

I’m terrible about it. I can hardly go one day without getting online. It’s actually (for me) more stressful to fight it. Instead I go into ‘limited’ mode. Jot down ideas, hang out on social networks, and try other outlets instead of writing or programming. I’m still working but try to mix it up a bit when I’m taking a break.

By: Sharon Hurley Hall

Sharon Hurley Hall — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:13:02 +0000

Good tips, Brooke. I need to massively overhaul my working life (something I wrote about recently) and planning for vacations will be part of that process. I don’t even think it matters whether I am going anywhere or not; just having some totally free me time will be great.