3 Ways to Reclaim your Downtime

I didn’t realise how much I valued my commute time to and from clients until lockdown descended upon us.

I’ve been reflecting on why I’ve been feeling so tired (and hearing others say the same), and come to the conclusion that it’s down to 2 key things:

1. Just because I have extra available working hours because I’m not commuting, doesn’t mean I have to fill them with work

2. Filling my extra time in front of the PC or laptop isn’t good for my physical or mental wellbeing … and has reduced the variety of things in my day. 

Ultimately ‘balance’ is what’s missing, and for me balance comes from variety.

What creates balance for you?

I’ve started redressing balance in a number of ways, and the most important one is about creating those moments of ‘downtime’, whether they be individual or with family (where safe to do so!)

Right now, I define downtime as – ‘time away from my home office and even thinking about work’ … something that will redress the balance I’m sorely lacking.

How would you define downtime?

What does it specifically look like for you?

Here are my thoughts around reclaiming downtime.

1) Insert something physical to your day that has nothing to do with work

I’ve taken up Pilates (via Zoom), and am finding muscles I never realised I had. I find it wakes up my body, and I’m already feeling stronger in my core. I’m standing straighter and have better posture at the computer. That’s got to be a good thing!

2) Lengthen your commute if you work from home

I take my morning cuppa for a walk around the garden a couple of times, breathe in the fresh air, listen to the sounds around me … and basically get present for the day ahead. It also gives me much needed variety. I repeat this with my 11am coffee, lunch and afternoon break – weather permitting.

3) Try the Pomodoro Technique to create short regular breaks

This idea comes from Italian – Francesco Cirillo, when he was a student. He used a kitchen timer shaped like a tomato (popular in the 1980s!) and worked for 25 minute intervals, followed by a short break of 3-5 minutes. (NB – ‘pomodoro’ is Italian for tomato).

I use this technique when I have short tasks to do (e.g. checking & answering emails). With longer tasks which take more time to get into … I go for 45-60 minute work intervals, with 10 minute breaks.

Experiment with timings and different types of task, and do what works best for you.

Perhaps most importantly in all of this is that, if you want to reclaim more downtime to help you switch off and restore your mental and physical energy, you need to make this time important. Diarise it. Protect it. 

I’d love to hear your comments below about how you create or reclaim your downtime, if this has been lacking recently!