[Competition] Wrike's Holiday Countdown 2023 - Day 1
Completed
Hi Community,
We're super excited to kick off Wrike's Holiday Countdown 2023 today. Every day this week, we’ll be sharing a challenge for you to take part in, with a $50 Amazon voucher to be won each day!
And… if you participate in all five of our daily challenges you'll be in with a chance to win a Wrike Discover Silver Product Certification, valued at $299, so be sure to take part in each one! 🏆 Check out our full T&Cs for this at this link.
Without further ado, let's kick things off ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Today's challenge:
As the holidays approach, they carry the promise of a well-deserved break 🙏 During the year, however, we rely on specific activities or rituals to help us unwind and destress. We're curious, when it's time for you to take a break at work, what strategies do you employ to unwind and recharge? 🧘♂️ Let us know in the comments below to take part.
Expect our announcement for today's lucky winner tomorrow and remember - challenge #2 will also be available then! 🎁
One winner will be chosen at random and full T&Cs for today's competition are available at this link. We can't wait to read your entries!
Elaine Community Team at Wrike Wrike Product Manager Become a Wrike expert with Wrike Discover
Elaine Wrike Team member Become a Wrike expert with Wrike Discover
I love taking brain breaks! Taking my dog on short walks or doing guided meditations are my go-to break activities. Sometimes I use the Otter app to talk through things I'm working on while I'm walking.
Or I curl up in my bed for 15 minutes and wish I could take a nap.
SG
I enjoy doing a ten minute yoga video on youtube to relax and refresh my body and mind as a break from work
I focus on being present and cherishing the time spent with my family and friends. Time spent with loved ones recharges me and helps me to look at the past year and set new goals for the upcoming year with "ohana" as my center.
I enact a strict break from work when it is family time. I have a home office and I tell my toddler that the office is closed during off hours. It's important to provide that separation for work/life balance. To rest and recharge, I love to cook good meals for my family, watch historical shows (Downton Abbey is the best), and play with my little one. Oh and be outside as much as possible!
Once I finish work, I love to enjoy a good podcast or listen to my favorite music on the way home. Then I review all my texts from friends/family during the day, respond to them, and get ready to go to the gym. The gym is my alone time.
At work? A cup of coffee and a change of scenery, typically a walk.
To begin to wind down and prepare for time off, I write out my schedule for the day of my return and a set of to do's for my return and make sure I have updated any necessary team mates. I take a walk on the beach nearby to clear my head and switch gears away from work.
We have a Wellness Committee at work that shares stress-relief tips to the company every Wednesday (Wellness Wednesday!). Last week we had a 15 minutes rolling chair yoga session that we can take and continue to use!
When it's time to take a break at work, I walk away from the computer. I do that a few times a day since I use a standing desk. It gives my eyes a break and lets me stretch my legs. I'll refill my water, maybe do some stretches, or go get the mail for some fresh air. I sometimes turn on music. At lunch, I'll go for a walk in my neighborhood if the weather is nice or call a friend to plan something after work.
I've got a few trusty tricks up my sleeve when it's time to hit pause at work. First off, a change of scenery – it's like a mental palate cleanser. Then, I dive headfirst into some offbeat reading to spark up the creative circuits. And of course, nothing beats a good ol' chat with the work buddies. It's like a mini mental vacation!
Turn on Out of Office notification and laptop and pause work-related apps on my phone. Then change into some workout gear and head outside to get some Florida sunshine and fresh air. If there is an emergency, work knows my cell in case of emergency. #NoRegrets #HikingandFishing
I make sure there is someone covering each of my responsibilities, and the entire team knows who to contact for each of them. Then I turn off my notifications and ignore all work!
For me unwinding means taking a walk to clear my head and then playing outside for a bit with my pup. There is nothing like fresh air and a brisk walk that relieves your tension and clears the mind.
I like to take a step outside and enjoy a bit of sun and fresh air.
When it's time for me to take a break from work, here are some things that help me unwind and recharge:
Before taking the time off, I make sure to tie any loose ends and complete any urgent tasks. That way I don't return with a long list of pending things or overdue things. I also make sure that my other teammates are aware that I'll be out of office. Communication is so important, so that if anything urgent comes up while I'm away, I know who will be covering for me. Once time off begins, I make sure to turn off notifications and keep any work-related things back at the office (aka home office). I make sure that I actually get to spend some time with my loved ones and enjoy it without worrying about work.
During a holiday, since many are vacationing, I clean out my emails, leaving only 1/2 of the previous year, plan my vacations for the year, and complete unfinished projects at home. Once these are done, I am ready to face the new year with with positive energy!
"I usually travel, but this year, I will be staying home to take care of Misty's newborn puppies. They are absolutely beautiful, and it is so rewarding to care for them."
Because work often forces me to make and be responsible for a lot of decisions, when I take a break, I like to hang out with my kids and let them decide whatever we are going to do. I try to fully engage in whatever activity and rules they set. It allows me to fully enter their world and free my mind from worrying about what is next. As they are getting older, I know that my time to be part of those activities is limited, so it is a great recharge from work.
Before time off, I finalize as many things as I can and pass off what I can't complete on my own. Wrike makes it easy to make notes in case there are questions while out, re-assign tasks where needed, and on a rare occasion adjust timelines.
Once I am out of the office, I turn off notification unless I know there is something urgent coming.
some of my strategies 😊:
I step away from my office - and spend time with my fur babies - to get my mind off the many things I'm doing - they are quite demanding! (The Fur-Babies) :D
Scroll social media feeds as a break from work and to recharge I like taking the occasional 3 day weekend so taking a scheduled Friday or Monday is a great way to help recharge.
I'm going to finish all of my emails and shut off the laptop before I head out on vacation. Additionally, make the most of this time to spend quality time with loved ones. Take a little trip to somewhere lovely as well.
If I am at work, I like to take a walk outside for some fresh air when I take a break. If I am off work, a nice bike ride is my favorite way to unwind and relax.
I'm intentional about making time to disconnect from the cell phone, spend time with loved ones, or enjoy nature.
Getting my personal space in order helps a ton, so when it's time to take a break at work I can focus on things like de-cluttering, resetting spaces that have gotten out of order, and deep cleaning neglected spaces. Once that's done I cam more easily take a breath, rest, and enjoy time with family playing games and going on fun adventures without the nagging of a to-do list or visual clutter taking up room in my brain!
Unwinding admist all the work and added stress of holiday shopping takes a REALLY concerted effort. I schedule 15 min brain dead zones, where I can literally walk away from the computer/phone and stare up at the ceiling. Taking that moment to refresh and regroup can really change my perspective.
Eeeek! I also try to treat the unwinding from the holidays as ...uh, an "unexpected illness." Make sure that you are well hydrated (push the liquids), eat plenty of small meals and try to keep active and moving.
After my workday the best way for me to unwind is by spending time with my 2 kiddos'.
They are only little for so long and we make the best of everyday. We may take cardboard boxes and turn them into cars to watch our own outdoor movie in the living room or make festive waffles for early dinner! We go outside all bundled up to dance at the gazebo where festive music plays, Work on art projects where glitter, paint and glue gets everywhere, and dress up for our gingerbread kingdom we put together. We read Harry Potter and work on letters and numbers before we go to bed; just for me to clean it all up for it to repeat again tomorrow.
Sure, it may sound stressful to some but for me I take in every minute knowing this time is precious and they are incredibly loved!