Take a Vacation.... at Work: 6 Ways to Rest and Recharge during the Work Day

Even though we are often spending more time working than ever before, we also have less leisure time than ever before. We’re also dealing with more depression and anxiety post-pandemic. Remember too that we work with the public who are feeling anxious, depressed, or stressed overall too. Plus typically folks who are receiving OT services have added stress to their lives due to accident, injury, or illness. This means more pressure on you at work as you try to meet each of your client’s needs! All of these things can leave you feeling exhausted and drained, and it’s not good for you.

So that all sounds pretty stressful just reading it. Yet, the purpose is to identify what may be going on so that you can begin to act. Slowly! Manageably! Remember you don’t have to change all at once. What might be helpful though? It can be as unique as you are. Be curious and try things. You can begin to see what works and then build your preferred go-to tools and actions for recharging and rest! Research says there are lots of options. One review found that mindfulness-based interventions for registered nurses and students were effective at lowering anxiety and had positive benefits in handling situations that are stressful involving clients and co-workers. Visiting large urban parks and woodlands after work helped reduce stress effects in another study. Humor may help nurses cope with stress and long working hours according to a different study.

Here are some ideas to help you rest and recharge during your job as an OT or OTA. These could also be effective for students as well.

1. Take a mental vacation

Okay, so I don’t mean completely space out during an OT session! I find that as my stress builds at work. I can feel overwhelmed, hot, and pressured. As I move between clients (even if only for 2 minutes) I can visualize a scene that is soothing or relaxing. I often visualize walking a short path onto the top of a clear, beautiful mountain with a breeze blowing. With practice, I can conjure that image and the sensory “feelings” of that scene very easily even with my eyes open. Even as I typed about it that image came up in my mind. My shoulders drop (which are usually hitched up in stress) and I can feel my muscles start to unclench. If I am struggling to focus on the next client as I transition, I can even imagine that the client is waiting for me up on the mountain where there aren’t any distractions. I use mountains. You could use the beach, a lake dock, and a cozy reading corner. Whatever works for you.

2. Prime your environment to make you smile

I enjoy having small things in my environment that make me smile. I’ve used our Christmas card which has pictures of my family during the year to post where I leave my belongings when I am at work. Maybe it is a small, cheerful plant that you see on your desk or where you treat clients. Having those things that make me smile helps me bring myself back to the present so I can get out of my head (I tend to be an overthinker), realize there are other things than what seems hard at the moment, and come back to the present moment where I am smiling from that small spark of joy the object caused.

3. Move

As OTs and OTAs, we usually have pretty physical jobs already. I find though if I take the time to stretch or walk as a quick break or during my lunch this can feel huge. Extra points if I can catch 5 minutes outside for this. Many of us work during lunch. I know that is hard, but I find that I am more focused and productive if I take even 5 minutes for a break and some movement.

I use triggers in my environment to redirect myself to the present moment which allows me to check-in and breathe. One of the ones right now I use is the elevators at the hospital where I work. When I find myself waiting for the elevator, this is my cue to take a deep breath and focus on the feeling of my feet on the floor (or other sensory information around me). If I notice that I am feeling pressured or anxious, I try not to judge and notice the sensation that helped me identify those feelings. I can redirect myself to my breath. This helps to reset my stress level. Sometimes for me as the day builds so does the stress and the internal pressure I feel. Having these strategies helps me defuse that build-up! I love this one because honestly, I can do this even around folks waiting with me and no one has any idea!

5. Mindfully walk into work

Does the dread hit you before you even park your car for work? That’s awful! I’ve had that feeling sometimes. It grows as you walk towards the door. Maybe it is a session you are dreading or a situation that you are just sure is going to rear its ugly head today. Walking with that awful feeling in your stomach is a hard way to start your day. I use mindfulness to help diffuse the dread. Once I park, I work to notice 1 new thing every time I walk into work. I can be anything I see, hear, or smell. I love when I notice the first signs of spring in a tree that I’ve walked past two days before and didn’t notice. It could be a beautiful cloud that morning with a rosy glow. I promise it is completely possible to find that new thing every day. It cultivates a small piece of joy that chases away the dread.

6. Know what makes you laugh

Cat videos. Every time will get me a chuckle. I also happen to like Dungeons and Dragons memes because I am nerdy like that. Okay, so what does this even have to do with stress? I mentioned the study on humor earlier in the blog. Humor does help. Can you put a funny comic where you can see it? Is there a website of jokes that gives you a chuckle? Check it out on one of your breaks. I’ve even flipped through a few funnies just before I left to the house to put a smile on my face as I started my day.