Most people view exhaustion as a status symbol. However, rest and recovery are essential for top performance. This is often a busy time for accounting professionals in public practice and industry. Working extra time is often unavoidable, but you can take steps to avoid burning out.
For instance, adequate sleep is needed to regulate emotions and maintain productivity.
Regular rest helps release stress and maintain professionalism. Calming the regulatory system supports recovery from a busy day.
As a human being, you cannot run on empty. If you do not carve out time for daily rest, your body will become sick and force you to recover, often at inconvenient times..
Use these gentle reminders to embrace recovery in your busy life.
Maintain Boundaries
Clarify your work and personal time and the activities you engage in:
- Start and finish work at reasonable times. Exhaustion can result in errors and taking longer to complete tasks.
- Follow your task schedule as closely as possible.
- Take regular breaks and a defined lunch break. Avoid eating at your desk.
- Decline tasks, projects, and invitations that do not fit your schedule or interests.
- Try and separate your work and personal time when possible. Avoid taking work home, and answering emails after your work day is complete.
Prioritize Tasks
Structure your time by scheduling daily tasks:
- Write down your tasks for the week.
- Prioritize your tasks by importance and deadlines. Determine what is urgent vs. important .
- Schedule adequate time for each task.
- Include regular breaks and a lunch break.
- Reserve time to catch up on incomplete tasks due to unexpected circumstances.
- Leave time for surprises.
- Move incomplete tasks to the next day.
Detach from Work
Mentally disconnect from work at the end of the day:
- Focus on personal activities and interests
- Spend time with family and friends
- Read books
- Cook
Engage in Physical Activity
Daily exercise supports physical, mental, and emotional stress release and recovery:
- Practice yoga
- Run
- Take a Pilates class
- Work out at a gym
- Join a sports team
Participate in New Experiences
Pursue learning and growth experiences:
- Baking
- Gardening
- Woodworking
- Learning a foreign language
Relax
Participate in relaxing activities to calm your sympathetic nervous system and lower your heart rate:
- Deep breathing
- Meditation
- Tai chi
- Yoga
- Listening to jazz music
Gain Additional Tips for Embracing Recovery
For more tips on embracing rest and recovery, revisit our November 2024 posts Part 1: Are You Living to Work or Working to Live? and Part 2: Are You Living to Work or Working to Live?
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