Why taking 5 and doing some relaxation exercises might be the most productive thing you do today

Being busy is good for business, but being too busy is not. When faced with massive workloads, many of us tend to just get on with the job and work harder for longer. Which might work in small bursts, but if you do it for too long, you risk burning out.

There’s an old saying in the business world – ‘having lost sight of our objectives, we redoubled our efforts.’ However, working harder because you’ve lost sight of your objectives, or because you’re under so much stress you’ve lost focus, can be a waste of time and money.

Sometimes, the best thing we can do under pressure is to stop, relax and refocus, at least for a few minutes. This can actually help make you more productive when you need it the most.

Here's some simple relaxation exercises that cost nothing and only take a few minutes.

Relaxed breathing

Sit up straight, put your hands on your thighs and place your feet on the ground. Breathe in slowly, fill your lungs and feel your belly push out. Hold that breath for a few seconds before releasing it slowly. Now do it again. And then do it a few more times, really concentrating on your breathing. Do this for five minutes and you’ll feel calmer, and your mind will feel more clear.

Muscle relaxation

This involves tensing individual muscles then letting them relax. Start with your face – push your eyebrows together as if frowning, then release. Move to your neck and gently tilt your head forward, pushing your chin towards your chest. Then slowly lift it back up. Just keep working down your body until your reach the tips of your toes.

Go for a walk

It doesn’t get any simpler than this. Get away from your workplace and go for a ten minute walk. When you focus on your surroundings as you walk, you’ll be distracting your brain from work, giving it a well-deserved break. Or if you’re really up against a deadline, try a walking meeting. It’s still more relaxing and healthier for everyone.

Relaxation exercises work. As counterintuitive as it seems, stopping work for five minutes can be the smartest thing you do all day.

As a small business owner, something else you can do to ease some pressure in your life is to make sure your Workers Compensation insurance is sorted. So why not take 5 and chat with one of our specialists?

Learn more about Workers Compensation Insurance

Read more:

• Why negative thinking can be bad for business
• ‘How can I help you?’ and other tips for managing employees with poor mental health
• How to tell your mind the workday is over

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