Taking a Pause
One Moment!
Intentionally set aside time after client meetings for yourself before resuming your work to decompress and recharge your batteries.
Strategies
Set boundaries: Always block 5-15 minutes off in your calendar at the end of each client meeting. Find a space that is yours and comfortable, whether outside or inside, where you are unlikely to be disturbed.
Reclaim time: We fastidiously use timers to track our tasks for billing. Use your work timekeeping timers, the UCLA Mindful App’s timer function, or your favorite tactile pomodoro timer to create protected time and space for yourself.
Grounding activity: Take the time to journal, meditate, practice mindfulness, stretch, or anything else that helps you feel present, energized, and hopeful for the rest of your day. Some examples:
Create a song, write a poem, journal, or doodle something. Have some short grounding prompts available to set simple parameters to follow.
Stretch, dance, and shake it off. Or take a nap: try the Pzizz App [Apple | Google Play].
Complete a guided meditation and/or mindfulness exercise:
Eliminate decision fatigue: Spend some time creating a mix of easily-accessible activities (update often!) that you can select from after each hard session, so you do not have to come up with something in the moment. Keep helpful materials in a separate drawer in your office.
Can’t choose?: Roll dice, whether virtually or actually, and leave the choice to chance!