Day 3 of 5 - Have Yourself A Little Recharge: Iterable's Festive Five

A routine that has helped me, not only at work but life in general, is waking up and taking a walk first thing in the morning. It gives me time to think, plan out my day and gets my body moving. I often tie it with talking with ChatGPT around ideas for work and brainstorming. This way when I start my day I already have a clear plan and some strategic thinking already in place. All while getting some exercise in. 

I also swear by a walk, but I take mine mid-day and clear my mind of all work. Then come back refreshed.

Before I had two small kids I would go on long bike rides to recharge.  It was a screen less experience where I was effectively forcing myself to be offline -- so I could pay attention to the trail or road. 

After having kids it was harder to find the time, but this year I started a new routine to begin my nightly wind down (whenever possible) by jumping on the exercise bike at home after kiddos’ bedtimes.  

Riding a stationary bike isn’t quite the same, but I force myself for it to remain a screen free time where I could think about the accomplishments -- personal and professional -- for the day and what’s needed tomorrow.

I’ve felt just getting on the bike is half of the battle, no matter how many miles I end up riding.

I love to read every night before bed, even if just for 10 minutes. It’s a great way to wind down and stay off my phone.

Lately I’ve been doing some crafting/painting to unwind! Bonus: they can be used as holiday gifts!

Whenever I start to feel sluggish, I step outside to get some sunlight. This works regardless of whether I’m working from home, in an office space, in a coffee shop, at a family member’s house, or anywhere else. And I also eat lunch away from my desk doing something like watching a show or reading a book so my brain can have some “off work” time.

As easy as it is to get sucked into the hustle-and-bustle of the busy season, I always encourage my team to take any necessary time away from their screens to get some much-needed rest. I love exercise, so finding time either before or after work to do an Orangetheory class or yoga helps me realign with myself. Getting your body moving is an excellent body and mind reset! Quality time is my love language, so I like to fill up my calendar with chances to see friends and family. At work, we recently implemented “Thursdays at 5,” where every Thursday we gather in the office to have some drinks, play some games, and NOT talk about work. It’s a great way to spend time with coworkers!

Since I’m fully remote, I like to try to factor in a dance/singing break mid-day just to revitalize my energy levels. It’s fun to try to pretend I can hit the same notes as Ariana Grande (although maybe my neighbors don’t think it’s that fun….). 

What a fun question to recharge! In the summer I started implementing daily walks after lunchtime outside for 10-15 minutes, it was a super wonderful way to unwind, take a break from looking at a screen and connect with nature.

During the holidays, the snow has been falling, roads are icy and weather isn’t too optimal for that. Mix in holiday promotions and deadlines, it can get hectic! Sounds quite cheesy, but lately my go-to recharge break came from ​@Deja with a winning prize of a 1-year Calm subscription to the app from the 2025 Summer Camp Challenge!

Taking a few moments to listen to an episode on Calm App or meditation before getting back to work has been a game changer. Coming back recharged with fresh ideas, mindset and a new perspective! 

Nothing revitalizes me like dunking my face in cold water, or if I don't have time - an ice roller does the trick too! I live in San Francisco, so there's no room for an actual cold plunge, but the face is manageable 😂

I love to play golf when the weather is nice. I try to take at least one Friday afternoon off each month to get out on the course, leave my phone in the cart, and let go of any work-related thoughts for the entire round. It’s a chance to be outside, relax, and enjoy time with a friend completely away from work.

Since our office runs on a hybrid schedule, I also use our in-office lunch breaks as a reset by playing a board game. It helps shift my focus away from work for a bit, and it’s something others in the office often appreciate too — a quick mental break that lets everyone clear their head.

Another thing I enjoy is simply getting out for a walk. When I’m in the office in downtown OKC, it’s fun to explore the area, wander around the buildings, or even walk through the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial. It’s a peaceful way to step away from work and reset.

When I feel fatigued from the day or overwhelmed, I like to snuggle up with a warm cup of double spice chai tea and take 15 minutes to regroup, collect my thoughts, and recharge. I usually grab a notebook to game plan the rest of the day or in case some brilliant (or not-so-brilliant and just a little bit crazy😆) ideas pop into my head.