Relax!

Americans are considered excellent workers, but a lot of us stink at relaxing...

 

Are you suffering from leisure sickness? It's a term that describes a syndrome that workaholics get when they try to take time off. A sense of guilt about anything that feels good can really ruin that down time, but there are a few things you can do daily to prevent that:

Quietly chill out. Wakeful resting, or just sitting there, can be really helpful. It might be hard at first, but you'll actually be more productive when you work some quick rests into your routine.

Close your eyes. Sit quietly for a few minutes and take some deep breaths through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Twice a day is enough to trigger your reset button.

Get a massage. Even a brief hands on session from a pro can elevate the feel-good brain hormones.

If you have a tendency to be irritated and impatient, or have trouble focusing, then it's time to sit down, breathe deeply, and relax. You'll be doing yourself, and the people around you, a big favor.

Source: James S. Gordon, author of "Unstuck"