Recently, I met with a financial consultant. It turns out that to avoid constantly coming up 5 euros short before payday each month, and to stop feeling that dreadful sense of not having enough money, you should start every month by setting aside 10 euros, or better yet, 10% of your income, in a savings account. Then, if you do end up short 5 euros at the end of the month, you can take it from the 10 euros you saved, and you'll still have 5 euros left. The second step is to carefully analyze and monitor your expenses. The third is to create additional income.
These same principles can be applied to well-being. Well-being means having enough personal resources to have the energy to go and do, and I really like the idea that money is energy. The more energy you have, the more money you have. So, how do you take care of yourself to ensure you have plenty of energy?
If I were to ask you to imagine a scene of relaxation, you would probably think of lounging on a sofa or in a sun chair, with a cup of tea or a glass of wine, a good book, a movie, or conversations with friends. However, the form of rest that suits us depends on the work we do. Specifically, before you start resting, you need to understand what you are tired from. Figuratively speaking, what hurts more at the end of the day—your muscles, your brain, or your heart? This is because people do three types of work:
Physical
Cognitive
Emotional.
When doing physical work, we use muscle strength, and both the process and the result are visible. For example, knitting a sock, plowing a field, or cleaning a house. When doing cognitive work, we use our knowledge. The work process is invisible, and the result can only be seen after someone has applied physical effort to materialize your ideas and thoughts. For example, solving an engineering problem or creating a marketing strategy. When doing emotional work, we engage emotionally, building relationships with people. For example, selling goods or services, teaching others, or leading team collaboration. Emotional work can be observed, but the result is often intangible.
Most likely, you do all types of work in your daily life. Observe yourself for a couple of weeks and note what kind of work you do and for how long. You will discover your work combination, and you will be able to create the most suitable relaxation mix for yourself.
So, how to relax?
If you do physical work, pay special attention to body relaxation—stretching exercises and massages. Take care of your cognitive development by solving crossword puzzles, reading books, and exploring topics that interest you. Your emotional needs might be satisfied by watching movies or theater, spending time with family and friends. Lounging on the sofa will also help restore personal resources.
If you do cognitive work, you need to learn to "switch off your brain." The best way to do this is by playing games, tidying up the house, or "chit-chatting" with friends. Regular physical activity is mandatory for those who do cognitive work. Necessary relaxation can also be provided by impulsive writing (writing whatever comes to mind), coloring books, meditation, and journaling.
For those who do emotional work, a "must-have" relaxation activity is finding a therapist, supervisor, or coach to "talk through" the emotions accumulated during the day, whether they are yours or your clients', or at least regularly journaling. Of course, physical activity should not be neglected either. It is important for those who do emotional work to establish and stick to a daily routine.
Recently, I reread the works of the great Latvian author Kārlis Skalbe. In one of his fairy tales, he says: "Tell me, what are the three greatest treasures in the world?" ... "A ray of sunshine, water, and rye bread." This is good advice for everyone—fresh air, water, and good food, and I would add quality sleep, every day.
Now that the big relaxation campaign—summer—is just coming to an end, it’s time to create your quality relaxation plan so that every day you feel strong and can bring your positive energy into the world.
P.S. This works if you have eliminated unnecessary and wasteful energy drains, meaning you don't spend money and time on things that don't bring lasting joy, but that's a topic for another blog.
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