Happy first day of spring! It’s time for warmer weather, more sunshine, and time outdoors!

Spring is the perfect time to check in with yourself. Think about your everyday life for a minute.  Is being busy a badge of honor for you? We place such a high value on being productive, that we forget how important it is to chill out. The truth is that taking the time to relax your brain and body will actually make you more productive and a happier person. Time off let’s you come back to work refreshed and energized.

We ALL need more down time – time to veg out, be lazy, relax, and rejuvinate! Here’s how to have more of it:

1. Schedule it.

Yes, you may have to actually put regular down time in your calendar or save an entire day during the week. It’s really easy to let other priorities take over, and before you know it your supposed relaxation time can be taken over by other things. This is why we suggest scheduling your time off. Take Sunday as your unplugged day. Or maybe spend every Thursday night in a cozy spot with a book and cup of tea and no other distractions!

And here’s another tip: you’ll also want to think about weekends away. We tend to schedule our longer vacations because we have to give advance notice at work or have other plans in place to make them happen.  But weekends can slip by. So take some time now and plan a few fun weekend getaways – the mountains, the beach, whatever calls to you. Add those to your calendar as well.

2. Be vigilant.

You know yourself better than anyone else. What distracts you?  If you know you can’t be trusted to layoff of email or social media, have a no laptop and/or cell phone rule on your relaxation days.

What creates stress for you? If you’re unable to enjoy time off because of things hanging over your head – work projects, house chores – schedule specific time for those things too. You’ll probably be able to rest and enjoy with much more ease once you’ve cleared your head and are conscious about how you intend to spend your time.

You’ll also want to be vigilant about protecting your time from other’s agendas. Once your down time is scheduled, make it non negotiable, no matter what!

3. Plan Ahead.

Consider what you’d like to do on your day off. Are you a stay in bed all day, lounger type? If so you might want to find a good book to read or stock up on some magazines for pure entertainment! Be sure your bed is extra comfy with clean sheets and plenty of pillows and blankets. Get your cozy on!

Do you spend most of your days in a cubicle and need more time outside? Hang the hammock. Pack the picnic basket. Search out some new hiking trails. Whatever you want to do, be sure you’re ready and you have what you need so you can make the most of your day!

Photo Credit: zanzibar via Compfight cc