Alone Time At Work

5 Ways to Grab Alone Time During the Workday

If you’ve just read the title of this article, you might have some questions. Alone Time during the workday? Sounds kind of crazy, doesn’t it?

Watch the video, if you want to see the rest of this article or read on for the transcript. There is an audio version below too if you just want to listen.

Video

Not so. In fact, Alone Time during the workday isn’t just possible, it’s necessary for your sanity and health sometimes. Especially if you find yourself in high-stress situations. Let’s look at some ways you can grab the Alone Time you so desperately need so you can keep your calm even when things around you feel at their most chaotic.

Grab Lunch
Frequently, we get into the mindset that we need to network on our lunch hours. If you’re having a stressful day, forget this idea. One day having lunch by yourself isn’t going to hurt the future of your job. Eat at your desk, or better yet, take yourself somewhere lovely for lunch where your coworkers aren’t likely to go to so you can get a little you time over something yummy.

Schedule an Appointment
How is your boss about asking what kind of appointments you’re taking? If you’re really getting frazzled and have a little freedom in this regard, schedule a break some afternoon, which gets you out of the office. OK, so maybe you’re taking advantage of a situation that is designed for a medical necessity, but a mental health break can be every bit as important as a trip to the doctor or dentist. And no one needs to know you used your break for a mani-pedi but you.

Retreat
Some workplaces have quiet zones where you can take a break if you need to. Take advantage of this feature when you need to. Even being able to go into an empty conference room and close your eyes for a few minutes can do wonders to restore your equilibrium. If your workplace doesn’t have this, head for the loo, find an empty cubicle, put the toilet lid down and sit down for a power nap. Close your eyes, empty your mind and try to sleep for the 20 minutes.

Take a Walk
Got a few minutes for a break? Rather than heading for the breakroom for a stale donut, head outside for a short walk. The fresh air will do wonders for your mood.

Find Something Furry
Some offices have pretty loose policies regarding pets. If someone has brought their dog to work, offer to take it for a walk or, at the very least, ask if you can spend a few minutes in canine snuggle time. Studies have shown pets can be really helpful in calming us down when we need it.

The trick to office Alone Time is intentionality. You’re never going to find the time for yourself by accident, you have to look for it. And while petting a dog might not be technically alone time, it counts if it gets you out of the busy workday world and somewhere else mentally even for just a moment.