Slowing Down and Switching Off: why taking time for you is the thing to do

When you’re finished with work for the day, it’s not always easy to detach yourself from what happens during the hours of 9 until 5.  Since many of us, due to the effects of Covid-19, have been advised to work from home, this might have become even more difficult to do.  With this in mind, the ‘workaholics’ among us might find it all too easy to just finish ‘one more thing’.  We at Holly Small Design are here to remind you that sometimes it is more beneficial to step away from the desk, rationalise your thoughts, and distract yourself with your favourite hobby.  That’s why, in light of National Stress Awareness Week (2nd – 6th November) and National Stress Awareness Day (6th November), we want to talk about why it is so important to take care of yourself and check in on those around you.  Like much of life, not everything is as it seems, and someone close to you, be it a friend or colleague, may be undergoing some form of stress in their daily life.

The existence of National Stress Awareness Week feels especially prominent this year, as the past six months or so have presented us with uncertainty and insecurity, which has given way too many of us experiencing high levels of stress or anxiety.  Not everyone endures the same kind of stress, and nor does it manifest itself in the same way.  Feelings of stress and anxiety are sometimes perpetuated by the notion of toxic productivity.  Toxic productivity is the false idea that we should always be achieving, or even exceeding our goals.  This can develop into an unhealthy obsession, whereby we feel that even after working to the best of our ability, that this is not enough. Falling into this cycle incidentally disrupts the work-life balance.  We know that you have probably heard the phrase ‘work-life balance’ at least once (well, maybe more than that) over the years, but understanding it is the key.  Admittedly, not all of us are planners, but if you are someone who suffers from stress or anxiety, drawing yourself up a schedule might help you to realise that it is okay to take breaks and relax for a little while.  It is unlikely that you’ll be able to concentrate and stay focused every minute of the day, so in fact, it would be more productive to turn that extra screen time into 30 minutes of yoga, mindful colouring, or just walking.

Are you your own boss, or do you manage a team of people?  If it’s the latter, then, as well as making time for your own self-care, it is also imperative that you invest time into asking about the well-being of your colleagues.  It doesn’t need to be set up as a meeting and can take place at any time of the day – a brief 10-minute chat will do.  As much as we try not to take our home life into work, sometimes it is not always easy, and can affect our mood, and ultimately our work.  However, if one of your colleagues is given time to explain their own circumstances, then it allows you, as the boss or project manager, to make considerate choices when it comes to their workload.

The team at Holly Small Design are always on hand to help and support you, which is why when we build or redesign your site, we always make sure to maintain regular contact with you as our client.  All our websites are executed professionally and are carefully crafted with layouts tailored towards your businesses.  In addition, we can also provide the add-ons you didn’t know you needed, such as SEO, use of Google Analytics, as well as forums and blogs.  We are dedicated to providing you with a swanky site that does all that you want and more.  So, there is no need to worry when it comes to doing the fiddly bits with your site, as we’ll take care of that for you.

Don’t forget to slow down, switch off and take some time for you.

If you need help with any of these or even if you’re not sure where to begin, get in touch with us by emailing [email protected] or give us a call on 01923 260519 as we’re always on hand to guide you on the right path.