A year and a half ago, I made the decision to go freelance. To leave my full time employment and go it alone. It’s taken a little while to get where I am now and I credit that to a hell of a lot of dedication, hours and willpower.
But I’ll admit it that it’s not always easy. And I have a really difficult time taking a break. Working for myself means that I keep the pressure on even when I shouldn’t and I stop myself from finding time to relax, unwind or chill out. I keep finding myself singing “The Heat is On (ooooon)”.
Which is why this summer I’m making a promise to myself to seriously chill out and keep my cool. And yes, I know it’s not easy!
Sometimes that chill time is 10000% necessary for your happiness. Ahem, this is my reminder to you that you need to take a break.
So I’m finding ways to keep my cool this summer while I work. I’m creating my own little tropical paradise in my home office (OK, it’s our dining room table, but it’s the best desk I’ve ever had). I’ve recently added more plants to my collection. Yes, I’m slowly turning the dining room into my own personal greenhouse. And I’m cranking our windows wide open during these hot days too.
Because I want to be make sure that my work space keeps me feeling like I’m on a chilled out holiday – even when I’m on the clock.
5 ways to chill out during your workday this summer
Find some shade and settle in with a book or catch up with a co-worker
Honestly, getting outside helps improve my mood drastically. So why not switch up your lunch break by ditching the canteen or usual sandwich spot and sitting outside. Find a cool, shaded corner and read or have an overdue catch up.
Embrace a tropical playlist
One of my favorite summertime genres is the Tropical House music on Spotify. There’s a playlist for everything (so you’ll find your own jams to love) but popping on these tunes makes me feel like there’s a breeze in my hair and an ocean right around the corner.
Grab one of your Bounty Milk Snacks from the fridge
Even if you can’t get outside, you can bring the cool to you at any time. I’m making sure I take breaks during my work day by treating myself to something extra cool this summer. We’ve got a fridge full of chilled Bounty Milk Snacks and oh my goodness they are delicious. Because these aren’t your usual Bountys. These are Bounty Milk Snacks. A combination of soft layer of sponge, topped with a creamy, coconut mousse (the dream), and coated in deliciously thick chocolate. And they’re cold! You can pick these up from your local Sainsbury’s and keep them chilled in the fridge – ready for when you need a cool treat. Instantly refreshing ensuring yourself some literal chill time during your work day.
Stay hydrated!
Sure, it sounds silly but keeping a water bottle at your desk is a really great idea for staying cool and feeling good. Sometimes I’ll find I feel a bit sluggish when I haven’t been keeping up with my hydration. So I’m making a big effort to keep my H2O levels up, I’m talking that 8 glasses a day and then some. And if keeping it at your desk has you running to the loo every few minutes (hydration makes me the queen of bathroom breaks)… why not store your water bottle in the fridge next to your Bounty Milk Snacks? That way they can both be there to cool you off at any time.
Meditate
Maybe it’s not for everyone but I’ve found that taking five minutes out of my work day to meditate has helped me keep my cool. Focus on things that have made you feel great today or don’t focus on anything at all. It’s your moment – enjoy it!
So if you’re reading this at work – great! This is your casual reminder to take a break – chill out! Go say hi to your fave co-worker. Grab yourself a fresh cuppa. Power walk around the block. Buy a small plant for your desk. Add some colour into your workspace (post-its and gel pens are some of my favourites). Play that summertime Spotify playlist.
From plants to playing your favorite music while you work to even grabbing yourself a chilled chocolate bar snack, well there’s a way for everyone to take their own personal chill time. And I can’t encourage this enough.
It’s good to give your brain a little break every now and then and of course, even more fun to give your tastebuds a chilly summer treat too. There really isn’t a better way to stay cool than tucking into a chilled one of your Bounty Milk Snacks. Total bliss.
What are your favourite ways to find your own chill time at work?
Share in the comments below!
Kelly xx
Ps. This post is sponsored in collaboration with Bounty Milk Snacks, but all thoughts, opinions, words and photos are my own, as always. You can nab these chilled babes available from 29 May, from Sainsbury’s, 4 individual bars included in each pack for £2.00.