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Everyone loves the word 'relax' but most of us never take the time to do it. Busy families, heavy workloads, financial pressure and just everyday stress makes it hard to kick back and relax.

There comes a point in life when you just need to learn how to relax, even if it's something you have to schedule. Working around the clock, over-scheduling yourself and doing everything on the run is not healthy. Take some time to enjoy life a little. It goes by so fast.

No one is productive if they never take a break. The number one excuse for not taking a little time out is "I have no time". Make time. If this means taking out your planner and choosing even thirty minutes to enjoy some down time, then do it.

Shut off your phone, computer and television. Try it. It's amazing how you can survive thirty minutes without electronics. If you think you might not live without checking your email for thirty minutes, think again. The emails will be there when you turn the computer on and voice mail was invented to help you avoid overload.

If you have children, take out a board game and play. Your children will think they are in a dream world. You're actually going to play a game with them and not check your emails. It doesn't have to be a long game like Monopoly...it can even be as simple as cranking the music and playing musical chairs. It's amazing how children will remember this moment more than an expensive toy. You might think this is not relaxing, but watching your children have fun is a great form of relaxation.

Take a nap. This sounds a little over the top but it works. If you work from home, it might be a little easier to do than if you work in a cubicle. However, you could trade the nap time in for a quick walk. Anything to draw your attention away from work. Not everything in life is urgent.

Some people find cooking relaxing. Cleaning the dishes is another story, but often times making an old recipe that brings back some great memories is a great way to unwind.

If you never learn to relax and think that you're going to conquer the world by being "open for business" every minute of the day, then you're going to end up missing out on the amazing little moments of life. Just thirty minutes a day (or more!) walking away from anything that stresses you is rejuvenating. You can't recoup the simple times you've lost in the past so why not start now?
Go put a thirty minute break in your calendar for tomorrow. Do it now before you forget.

Learn more about this author, Cheryl A Phillips.
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