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

Some strategies I employ when it's break time: 🎄🌴 _mute notifications from work emails (easier said than done, but boy is nice to not have those coming in during true break); _shut down whole workstation (i.e., laptop, screens, etc.); _re-take the physical office space by using it for non-work things I want to do (e.g., play music/instruments)

When getting into Christmas Holiday mobile phone will be deactivated. Laptop in Homeoffice will be turned off. Christmas means realy holidays with family.

Before you take time off, find someone who can answer questions for you while you are out.  There are very few things that require ONLY you to answer or react to them.  Most things can wait a few days so you can focus on yourself, family, and friends.

Ahead of taking extended time off, I do my best to tie up any loose ends I can to eliminate my mind wandering to them while I'm away. For those that I cannot tie up, I find a backup to be my proxy while I'm away. This way when I am out of the office, I can completely shut down work equipment 🖥️ and give myself the grace of a full recharge.
On a daily basis though, my unwinding and recharging activities are a long walk and a good book 📖

For longer breaks, ensure that people know I will be out of the office and when I will be back, make sure people have what they need for while I am away, and that somebody in the team is available to cover. Preparing ahead means that I can take the time to enjoy the break without interruptions, and also re-energize for my return.

During a regular day, ensure I take time to stand, walk around the office, and keep hydrated (nothing like a nice cuppa to refresh and recharge).

Before I leave for a holiday, I make sure all my inboxes are empty (Wrike, E-Mail, MS Teams ...). That gives me a huge amount of peace already. Secondly, I'll make sure I have no overdue tasks currently and also when I'm returning, meaning I rather do the work or reschedule it realistically. During my absence, I put my company gear in a locker and don't dare to touch them until my return to the company. Also, I try to do as much activities as possible, this helps me winding down my mind best. I surely love to spend an evening watching Netflix on my couch, but I can't do this too often as the risk of thinking about work is too high for me here personally.

This concept is really fun, can't wait for the other four challenges! :-)

Turning off work notifications (even Wrike 🫣) on all devices is key for me when I need to unwind and take a break. I also like to plan something active to help keep my mind off work as well. 

I turn off my work computer and my work phone so that I can focus on being present with my family. 

I find some good food, spend some time outside away from screens, and decompress. This time of year, a nice warm beverage helps a lot too.

For work life: Turning on out of office notifications, check for due dates and update them to outside holiday season...inform teams that depend on you ahead of time, that they are aware that no one to respond is there (which is the case around year end only)

For private life: reduce expected stressy meetings to the least amount of time as possible and make sure to have enough time only with people that recharge you or alone afterwards. Avoid fixed date/time setups during the recharge time and live more on spontaneous feelings

When ever I can I take a walk and make sure to listen to music or a light podcast to keep my mind from going back to work things. 

I take mini vacations throughout the year which allows me to refresh and focus on life outside of work!

Many of the approaches that have already been articulated. I'll add doing sdome planning for the first days back, to "set the table" in advance.

Happy holidays and Gregorian New Year everyone!

I make sure all my Wrike tasks/projects are up to date with the most current status and take care of all my other notifications to make sure my mind is at peace before a break!

I work from home so the strategies I employ to unwind and recharge is taking a 15 minute walk, fold laundry, prep to cook or bake something, or pay bills. 

Before going out, I take a look at my calendar for the week I return to make sure I've got everything prepared for my first few meetings, or any big deliverables. That definitely helps me really settle into 'away' mode! While I'm off, I like to clean the whole house and then watch a movie with some hot chocolate. 

To be sure to start a real break, the best is to switch-off work computer and applications. Being sure to inform your colleagues and go outside, breathe fresh air, walking in nature is a very good activity to resource. 

A few strategies that always help me to unwind are:

• Putting my headphones in and listening to a current, upbeat song that I'm obsessed with.
• Doing an arms up stretch to help revive my posture and tension.
• Making tea, even the smell of it while it cools off is relaxing.

One strategy I use often is a technique called box breathing:

• Breath in for 5 slow counts.
• Hold your breath for 5 slow counts.
• Breath out for 5 slow counts.
• Hold your (empty) breath for 5 slow counts.

This technique helps slow my heart rate and promote mindfulness.

Before going on break, I clear out my Wrike Inbox, my email Inbox, and any active Teams notifications, then I turn on my out-of-office notifications so people know when I'll be returning. This gives me peace of mind that urgent needs are managed. Then, I TURN OFF notifications on my phone and I keep my laptop OFF (though it's with me ...just in case) so that I can be wholly with my family and friends.

I leave my office space and turn my phone on Do Not Disturb, then get my body moving in some sort of way, usually while knocking out some personal tasks.

I block my calendar well in advance of my OOO time.  Then, I delegate someone to handle specific issues in my absence. I turn off instant messaging. I do not check emails unless I know there is something absolutely pressing that pending during my OOO time. 

Before PTO, I leave myself a list of where I am with my work, and what the next steps are - it helps me to get back to work a little easier, and provides a chance to wrap up anything that needs to be done before stepping away. It also means I touch base with my colleagues to let them know I'll be unavailable, and if they need something from me, to let me know by three days before I leave.

While I'm out of the office, I make sure to take time for myself, typically either exercising, reading, or walking outside! 

When taking a break at work, I strive for a fully mindful engagement of whatever the activity is (let the tasks sit in Wrike not in my head): making my latte, talking to my wife and kids, and getting a good stretch/mobility exercise. 

I'd say going on a walk on the nearby walking trail (when the weather's nice) or read a book during my breaks. 

the best way to unwind for me is to play with my kid it takes me back to my kid days which are the best!

Listen to music.

I just leave my working computer and phone out of reach. And dedicate myself to my family and try to learn or do something new, like art crafts or painting.