[Competition] Wrike's Holiday Countdown 2023 - Day 1

I start my day with a citrus mint tea from Starbucks and eggs frittata from Costco at my desk as I scroll through my morning emails--as I am now. Also on Wednesdays when my coworker brings. her dog to work, we take a couple of dog walks during the day.

I turn off all notifications on my phone. Then I usually put on some music and curl up and read a book. 

When taking a break from work I try to focus 100% on family time and not stick to doing whatever my calendar tells me to do. :)  Instead of keeping with project statuses, deadlines and meetings - I focus on binge watching my teenagers favorite shows with him, snuggling up in a blanket and watching Hallmark Christmas movies with my mom, having a mini spa day with my daughter, taking the dog for a walk whenever she wants to go and cooking with my husband.  

If it's a break at work, or during the workday, I have a few industry email subscriptions that I read to have a mental reset from tasks. All while keeping me focused on our industry and learning new things that could help me improve our efforts and gain new perspectives. 

If it is during time off, I usually spend time creating something, whether it's photography or home projects, anything that allows for hands-on creation and creativity helps me relax and recharge. 

Spending time with my baby daughter and family, just unwinding and enjoying each others company

For the holiday break I've planned a long weekend over NYE and leaving the laptop behind. Flying to a fun city to explore some sightseeing and new food is the best way for me to recharge.

when it's time for you to take a break at work, what strategies do you employ to unwind and recharge? 🧘‍♂️

I tune on my fav playlist and read news article at least 2 or 3. ;-) 

I go away from my work station and close the door so that I am not tempted to go in there and work on just one more thing. 

:) Ensure you fully disconnect from work-related tasks, emails, and messages. Set clear boundaries to allow yourself a break from professional responsibilities. Holidays are a great time to connect with family and friends. Plan activities or gatherings that allow you to spend quality time with loved ones. Consider incorporating mindfulness or meditation into your routine. These practices can help reduce stress and promote a sense of calm. If possible, consider traveling to a new place or exploring your local area. Experiencing new environments can be refreshing.

Note: On an urgency tie up with the available person for quick acknowledgement on any immediate update if needed and let teams know that we are away for quite while :P

cheers on the holiday's

I have separate work and personal phones so that I can completely unplug! It helps me to be present when I'm away from work, while being able to utilize my personal phone for social plans.

My normal unwind routine is to take a short walk around the block to stretch and catch some Vitamin D. During the holidays I'll spend as much time as possible with my family and friends and worry about nothing but being with them.

I put the leash on my Beagle, Chip, and we take a walk down our bike path in town, and stop and sniff every single tree (Chip sniffs, I stand there, just to clarify).  It's amazing what fresh air and exercise (even in the Midwest winters) can do to reset your brain and get you back into a motivated mindset!

Depends on how long I'll be off. I have two jobs, one of which never turns off (elected office) and then my day job that I can step away from. In the case of "day job" work, I Microsoft's quiet time settings to silence my Outlook and Teams notifications. I set an OOO notice and try as hard as I can to not manually check my email. During this season, then, I enjoy watching classic movies with my wife and friends.

turn off the electronics and phones and get out of the office for awhile.  Eating lunch at the desk, while necessary some times, does not help to unwind!

To unwind during my workday, I take short yoga breaks. I do a few poses to stretch out after sitting too long and to clear my mind for a few minutes.

I live in Florida giving me great weather, for the most part. Ater all the family cheer and present openings - I hit the blue roads for a few days of motorcycle riding. 

For a nice break I like to take a walk or do a physical chore, something to get me outside and moving is always a good way to clear my head and get me ready for the next task in front of me.

First and foremost, I make sure that my wrike task list and inbox are all up to date, my outlook inbox is empty, my out of office and voicemail are set with vacation notifications.

Then it's cuddle time with the kiddos and puppy with festive drinks and charcuterie board while binge watching our favourite Christmas classics.

Find a small area of my physical workspace to declutter or organize. Get some extra steps in around the office. Then, when I really need to focus, I listen to instrumental (without lyrics) music.

I take out my camera and go for a good walk in the woods!

I like going for walks, running, biking any kind of outdoor exercise to get the body and mind working in a different kind of way. Sometimes a quick journal prompt to cut all the stimulus for a while or a cup of tea. Whatever I feel will serve me best at the time!

Turn off all the work devices and read a book!

Well, as soon as soon as that Christmas break begins - I'm off - Off the clock, off my seat, off to get that last minute holiday shopping done, off the grid, off the wall. Last of all off my ROCKER.  LOL  Merry Christmas Wrike Community!

I like to spend time outdoors and in nature as much as possible. Lots of sunlight and taking time for myself by not being online as much. I also spend time with loved ones watching Holiday movies and staying in our jammies

I turn off all notifications and really try to just unplug from all devices. Hopefully get a nap in since my kids are still striving to be on the nice list. 

During the workday:

On the days I am fortunate enough to work from home, I try to take short breaks where I can - whether this is a planned break or because a meeting has ended unexpectedly early. For 5-minute switch-offs, I like to fuss the dog, have a walk around the garden, or make a fancy coffee (bonus points if my partner is also around to join me for a coffee break!). At lunchtime, I make sure to take the dog out on a nice long walk, or get myself active in other ways like yoga or a home workout!

Planning for a break:

As many people have mentioned, preparing thoroughly for an extended break is key to ensuring you can switch off. Having 1-2-1s with any relevant teammates and stakeholders, adding a note with

your A/L to your signature, and both written and in-person handovers are all great ways to prepare!

I do think that there is a difference when it comes to the magical Christmas break; it feels like the only time of the year when the world (my UK world anyway!) seems to stop along with you. I'm not worried about what's happening at work because often, nothing is happening! It is a freedom and lifting of stress that is unlike another other A/L - often you don't come back to a tonne to catch up on or deadlines breathing down your neck. January is a time for resetting and starting as we mean to go on!

To recharge myself during the break at work, i play music ,dance my heart out (not a dancer,but some really funny steps,haha). I cook some delicious recipes and watch some good series. I live away from my family,so when i am bored with all the above mentioned activities, i like facetiming my family and love irritating them. I also ring my friend up and just provoke him until we start quarreling and hung up. Thats therapy for me.

To break from work madness, I try to do something for my mind, spirit, and body (and mental alertness!) For mind & spirit, I'll step away, do something useful around the house, pray, play with my dog, or listen to a favorite song. This time of year, it's Christmas tunes and enjoying the tree! To unwind my body, I'll do some deep breathing and stretching. For mental alertness, it's another cup of coffee, of course! 

I close down for 15 mins, take a walk, no music, no tv just myself and my thoughts.

Some strategies I have are reading or watching a movie.