Down Time

The way a person spends their down time – determines how good they will be in their up time.
Down time happens to all of us. A day off – a missed plane flight – a delay in traffic – a holiday break. Down time can be planned or forced upon us.
To enjoy down time and get the most out of it you must make a deliberate choice to use Down Time to do just that. Wind down – tone down – slow down – lie down – shut down etc.
The whole idea of down time is to get off the rocket ship of life and let your whole being breathe and relax for a short while.
Things like power naps – breakouts – coffee chats – long walks or runs – gym sessions – TV escapes- anything to change you from go mode.
Problem is we get so used to being in go mode that we don’t know how to stop being competitive or urgent in all we do.
Here are some hints on making the most of time outs.
1. Breathe differently – take long deep slow breaths until you feel your body relaxing.
2. Talk differently – say things softer and slower. Put more passion in your words and only use kind words.
3. Look at life differently – take notice of things that are not in your vision scope. Look at things that would normally bore you and find out why others are interested in them.
4. Listen more – listening without the need for a reply is very relaxing. Other people have good opinions too.
5. Connect with a B list person. – Find someone not on your A list and treat them as though they are.
6. Make some happy noise – sing, whistle or hum something happy. Your whole being responds to happy sounds.
7. Be random – don’t plan anything. Just head out and see where you all end up. Make the time an adventure.

Time outs may only be an hour or two but you can still apply many of the above tips.
If you are bored out of your brain when presented with down time then remember this – if you don’t let yourself have proper downtime – you will not be able to sustain your uptime when it really matters. Just chill.