“How Do You Unplug?”

The family & I had a great lunch with some fellow Creekers.  Although the service at Outback was pretty rough, the conversation was great.  In between a lot of laughs we talked about how we “unplug” from the stress of daily life.  Some golf, some shop, some watch tv.

It got me thinking about what de-stresses me.  Both the simple things and the complex things.  Here is my list of things that help me “unplug”…

• Working Out.  It’s obvious that I don’t workout to be ripped.  It’s more of a de-stresser for me.  If I go about 2 days in a row without hitting the gym…I’m a ball of nerves.  It’s even better if I hit the gym in the morning.  Gives my day a sense of accomplishment before it even begins.
• On either Friday or Saturday morning, after I go to the gym, I grab a starbucks coffee (a tall Pike Place if you must know), a Cinnamon Crunch Bagel from Panera & a copy of this weeks Metro Spirit.  Then I sit down outside Panera and completely unwind.  It’s seriously less than 30 minutes to clear my head.  It’s my therapy.
• I like to be alone.  If I’m going to recharge my batteries, I need some time alone.  I love being around people, but I have to break away sometimes to clear my head.
• Going to see a movie.  That simple.
• Swimming.  I know that’s weird.  I just love chilling by a pool.  I’m trying to talk Melissa into getting one put in.
• I have to go to the beach for 1 week every summer.  It’s like a week of therapy.
• The family goes to Gatlinburg every fall.  We party in the heart of the Redneck Riviera.  It’s great for my family.

I know this may be an odd list, but I want to convey the importance of being able to unplug from what stresses you out.  If not, life will catch up with you and burnout always follows.

How do you “unplug”?