You don't need us to tell you: life can get very busy, very quickly. We constantly balance work, commuting and socializing, working out, staying in touch with family and friends, and trying to “optimize” our daily routine. If this sounds familiar, you might find it helpful to know what a busy detox is.
ContentWhat is a busy detox? How to do a busy detox
WomanEL will tell you what you need to know about this concept and why it is so important for your well-being.
What is a busyness detox?
As Emily Austin, host of The Business Podcast, points out, there comes a time when we all need a reset. “Being busy is the highest form of self-deception,” she tells Stylist. “What makes this all even more confusing is that we have been led to believe that being busy correlates with our success.”
As Austin defines it, a “busy detox” is a conscious effort to unburden yourself and realize where your time could be better spent. The ideal time frame for this practice is seven days, but no matter how long you do it, the most important thing is to get everything ready on the first day so that you don't have any extra effort during the week.
How to detox from being busy
Relaxation should be your priority in 2024, Source: freepik.com
First, Austin suggests writing down some clear goals and what you want to achieve through the process. Is your goal to spend more time with your partner, come home earlier, or read more?
Then the next step is to learn, as Austin calls it, “what makes the boat go faster.” Silence, clear, or minimize notifications on your phone and other devices. Remove apps that you don't use regularly or those that tempt you into doing something you consider pointless.
Where possible, make changes to things that might get in the way of your goal: talk to your manager about starting work a little later, rescheduling meetings, or asking to work from home more than usual this week.
Another important Austen tip is to keep your evenings free. “It was monumental for me,” she admits. “I spent many evenings planning holidays, dinners for friends, what I was going to do next week, what I wanted my gym routine to look like, but what I was doing was just extending my work hours. I was creating work and employment for myself during times that should have been more valuable. Now I try to spend half an hour a day thinking about these things.”
Ultimately, detoxing from busyness is about regulating your nervous system, listening to your body and figuring out how to cope with the chaos of modern life on your own conditions. “There is no right or wrong way to do this,” Austin insists. “The point is that you need to find a connection with things that improve your thinking. And these things will likely be different from other people.
Taking a bath, meditating, and putting lavender oil on yourself may work for someone else, but you should embrace whatever makes you feel your best and most relaxed.”
Looking for other ways to load up your schedule? We shared the secret of how to get through your to-do list faster.
