Marketing is a dynamic, fast-paced, ever-evolving industry to work in. You need to be strategic and creative, a problem-solver and a stellar communicator. You must also stay on top of industry trends and technologies to optimize your communications strategies. That’s a lot of balls to juggle, so it’s important to make health and wellness a priority.
It’s an exciting time for me to be on a marketing team. I look forward to the everyday challenges and collective energy. Collaborating, problem solving and giving back to our clients are some of my favorite aspects of being part of a creative team. Yet, slowing down my mind and finding ways to keep work at work and to rest at home can be challenging.
The nine-to-five mentality has faded even more due to the pandemic. As one writer put it, “The pandemic-induced, remote-work, year-and-a-half experiment has proven to be an undisputed success.” The pandemic took away our rush-hour commutes and mid-day coffee runs but forced us to literally bring work home and ignited an all-the-time productivity mentality. While this mindset may be necessary at times, it can quickly lead to burnout and fatigue over extended periods.
I’ve found that making rest and personal wellness a daily priority allows me to invite more energy and creativity and invest more into the challenges and opportunities the job entails. Rest lowers the risk of heart attacks and other stress-related diseases, and increases productivity. More than 40% of our creative ideas come during breaks and downtime, when our minds are free to wander.
Practical Ways to Find Rest
Are you like me? I promise to go to sleep earlier or put my phone down at a certain time only to find myself awake or still scrolling hours later. It may take a bit more effort to get the rest I need and truly experience its positive impact. Here are three less-common forms of rest that can change the way we live and work:
- Creative rest. Are you a creative, type-A thinker? Almost every day consists of finding new ways to attract audiences, bring ideas to life, and inspire others. Creative rest is simply making it a priority to take in creativity in order to give it out. Maybe this means going for a walk outside, listening to music, creating or looking at art, or sitting in that park that you always drive by on your way to work. Whatever way you experience creativity, it is important to take it in so that you can give it out.
- Mental/Emotional rest. In what situations or environments do you feel a deep sense of belonging, love, acceptance, and purpose? Mental and emotional rest is critical to accessing these feelings. I appreciate that Castle incorporates mental and emotional wellness into their culture. From weekly 20-minute breathwork breaks to quarterly wellness activities, emotional and mental wellness is built into the success of the company and the well-being of its staff.
- Sensory rest. Do you find it difficult to make a habit of putting your phone down before bed? I check my email, schedule my alarm, and spend time talking to family. Since the pandemic, it’s been estimated that adults spend approximately 19 hours a day on screens. For me, sensory rest is as simple as doing my work outdoors (like right now, on the BU quad on a beautiful fall day!). Whether it is being outdoors, spending less time on your phone, or simply turning on night mode, sensory rest decreases how drained we are in the evening and opens up space for increased productivity during the day.
I’ve learned over the years of being a student, interning, and working odd jobs that it’s okay for me to love my work and still value my rest. It’s an ongoing process, but I’ve found that taking 30 minutes to step outside during the day or to cozy up and unwind in the evening dramatically changes my perspective and mindset. Intentional moments of rest can significantly benefit our levels of creativity and productivity. Some of our best ideas come in quiet moments!
References:
Working 9-To-5 Is An Antiquated Relic From The Past And Should Be Stopped Right Now, Forbes
