In our fast-paced world, taking the time to unplug and recharge is not only good for our mental health, it can also improve our productivity and focus. Read on for signs that it might be time to take a break, and for some ideas on ways to get away from it all…even if only for a few minutes.

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been feeling a general lack of motivation. Even tasks that I’m normally excited to dive into feel like a chore.

Signs You Might Need to Unplug and Recharge

It’s important to pay attention to the warning signs. If you’re feeling any of these things, it might be time to step away and recharge your batteries.

• You feel like you’re running on autopilot.
• You struggle to find motivation for tasks you usually enjoy.
• You’re rushing from one task to another and feeling like you’re not giving the appropriate amount of attention to anything.
• Life’s minor annoyances start to try your patience.
• You feel tired but don’t sleep well.

I’ve been feeling all of these things lately, so I’m taking it as a sign I need to slow down and take a break.

What to do about it?

Unlike our devices that we plug in to recharge, we humans need to do the opposite. Sometimes we need to unplug from the world to recharge our own batteries.

First things first. No matter how you choose to recharge, you first need to turn off your devices—all of them. You can’t recharge when you’re constantly hearing pinging, buzzing or just vibrating.

Once your devices are turned off, here are some ways to recharge.

• Take an overnight or weekend break. You don’t need to go far, but just getting away from your usual environment can work wonders.
• If you can’t get away for an overnight trip, take an hour and go out for a walk in nature. The Japanese call it shinrin yoku or forest bathing and it can work wonders for your mental health.
• Read a book, but choose an entertaining book that doesn’t require too much thought. Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series is my go-to for this kind of reading.
• Find a local spa and go for a massage, pedicure or facial.
• Plan a casual dinner with friends. Remember…no electronic devices.
• Indulge in meditation, deep breathing or prayer to quiet your mind.
• Connect with others in a meaningful way over a shared activity.
• Dedicate some time to a creative activity that puts you in a state of flow. Painting. Art. Pottery. Music. Even writing…but old-fashioned pen-and-paper writing.

This coming weekend, I’m getting away from it all with an activity that ticks most of these boxes. From Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, I’m going on an Alpha Weekend retreat with a group from my church. We’ll be at a camp about a 20-minute drive from my home. There will be lots of time for prayer, conversation, music, good food and reflection. If the weather’s nice, we may even get outdoors for a walk in the countryside. I’ll leave my iPad at home and turn off my phone.  

I’ll return home on Sunday afternoon, so you may not see a new post from me next Monday. And that’s okay—because we all need to unplug now and then.

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How do you know it’s time to unplug and recharge? What do you do about it? Drop me a comment below with your thoughts.

Learn more about me in my bio and on my personal blog at BoomerEcoCrusader.com. You can also find me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.