Against popular opinions I want to tell you to completely unplug from your business for at least a week over Christmas!
If you must schedule a few posts, or a blog. Then do it now. But it is visual to your business success that you unplug completely at given intervals.
Why is unplugging so important?
When you never unplug, you never rest. Now if you know about the human body, you might already know that an overload nervous system is not helpful. It limits creativity, strategic thinking and reactionary ability. All of which are needed to run a successful business.
The nervous system gets overwhelmed when we don’t rest, or if we over stimulate our system. So unplugging means a proper unplug, not a week long Netflix binge.
Calming the nervous system doesn’t have to take loads of time but it does need to be thought out at first. It can be a struggle for your body and mind to truly relax when they are not used to doing that. Especially if you have not truly relaxed in a really long time.
So what does an unplug look like?
Ideally not doing work, not logging into emails, social media, talking to clients, suppliers, just completely turning off the laptop and letting it have a rest.
It means no planning, no thinking, no writing to do lists. No photos for social media. No expectations.
It should be a solid week of not having to refer to your dairy. Being able to leave your phone at home while you go for a lovely walk. True unplug.
The benefits of unplugging
The best thing about unplugging is you come back into your business ready to smash 2021! With more focus, clarity and drive than you felt closing the year.
You can show up for your business, your clients and yourself to a much better level. And deliver results that are better for everyone involved.
And we all know happy clients are the aim in business.
On a personal level, a complete unplug can give you perspective. On what is truly important in your life and business. It can help you reconnect with the outcomes you are wanting to achieve and help you see new ways to achieve them. Relaxing your nervous system will also help you connect with your intuition more, we all know how important that “gut feeling” is in business.
I recommend to clients that they build routines to relax their nervous system in their day to day lives, but I also recommend a complete unplug for at least a week, at least 3 times a year at the complete minimum!
I have already planned my longer breaks for the new year, with a week off in June to hike a canyon, and longer breaks in August and December.
So how do you unplug well?
I have a few things I love doing when I unplug
- Do something creative
- Do some constructive resting
- Practice Yoga – preferably yin or nidra
- Get out into nature
- Read an actual book
- Meditate and journal
- Do a puzzle
- Go explore
You can make your own list, the only thing you want to avoid is screen time and work. So go wild! Sometimes just decluttering the house can be a really fun task if you do it with family or friends, put on some good music and make it a really fun experience rather than a rush task we have to get done.
And actually perspective comes into this unplugging way more than you realise. I want you to do every activity during your down week like you have all the time in the world. Nothing is a rush, because you have no plans, nothing needs to be done, it is all choice. And you are in control.
Do something creative!
I absolutely love this it could be a craft, coloring-in, making your own bath salts, baking, or cooking something you have always wanted to try. This is just about releasing the outcome and having fun with the process. You don’t have to be good at it, you just have to enjoy it
Do some constructive resting
I love constructive rest, this is a practice I found this year, and feel in love! I have always found it hard to rest, even though I knew it was important. So I looked for ways to rest effectively. And found constructive rest. You can use YouTube to learn what it all about, but once you have the idea you can do it yourself. But you basically get into a comfortable position and do some breathing work to relax your body and mind without sleeping. You can play some relaxing music and stay in this postition for 15 minutes or longer. You will feel like you have had a full nights sleep after mastering this activity!
Practice Yoga – preferably yin or nidra
Any yoga is good to unwind, but flow can stimulate rather than relax. So practices like yin or nidra are best. You can listen to a YouTube video and follow along. The best thing about Yin and Nidra is you don’t move position often, so you don’t need to see the screen.
Get out in Nature
Nature is the best way to unplug, find a beautiful forest, beach, countryside and go get lost for a few hours. Take a warm flask of tea, and a few snacks. And just enjoy being outside. This is really important – the distance or route doesn’t matter. It is the beauty you are looking for. Look at the different trees, leaves, flowers, landscapes. Really take them in.
Read an actual book
So if you know me, you will know I am ALL about audio books and listening to them while I do other tasks to make the best use of my time. During my unplug week this changes completely! It is all about unplugging. So wrapping up in a fluffy blanket, with a book that has nothing to do with business or the real world. This Christmas I will be reading the tales of the Disney Villains and how they ended up being bad! So excited for this!
Meditate and journal
Meditation and journaling are my favourite thing to do! I love the reflection and growth that comes from listening to myself. And during my unplug week I like to ask a few questions and think about them a few times. Some of those questions if you want to use them – What am I most grateful for? What are the things I love and want to do more of? What are the things I want to do less of?
Do a puzzle
Or a paint by numbers, or anything that helps your brain fire in a different way! This is the best thing to distract your mind and make sure you are letting your creativity open up again. I also love doing Scratch Art or even making our own Christmas cards and wrapping paper!
Go explore
I know 2020 has been limited in how much traveling could be done! But honestly, once the world opens up again I would really recommend going away during your downtime. This is such a great way of changing the pace. Book somewhere with no wifi! My favourite stay was in a shepherds hut in the Cotswolds, Jay and I had the best week! Just reading, eating, walking, talking, and having sheep wake us up in the morning! It doesn’t have to be far away or expensive. But getting away is a great thing! Next year we have planned to hike the second largest canyon in the world! 90km over 6 days and all of that time we will have no signal or power, it will be total bliss!
Making your unplug happen
I always tell clients that the key to good downtime is to be prepared. So think about anything that might need to be completed before your downtime week starts. Make a list and then mark off what can wait and what can’t. Anything that can’t make sure you get done before day 1 of your week off! But honestly, most things can wait. Social media will still be there, your clients will all be ok, the world will continue to spin. And you will re-join it with a much better outlook from taking the time!
Schedule in your rest week now! And make sure you take time to just enjoy, relax and unplug! This will be my last blog of the year! So Merry Christmas and Happy holidays! See you on the 4th of January for the 2021 Epic Kick Off Challenge week! If you aren’t involved yet, make sure you to check it out here.