In a world that constantly demands our attention, where productivity is often prioritized over our wellness journey, it’s easy to feel like you are holding your breath. At Fix & Form, we believe in the power of intentional pauses—moments to reset, recharge, and reconnect with what truly matters. Just as businesses need thoughtful rebranding to align with their values, we as individuals need moments to realign with ourselves. We will discover ways to exhale in a fast-paced world, create space for human-centered work.
1. The Power of Breathing
It might seem obvious, but perhaps the most efficient way to learn to exhale is literally exhaling! And yet, you might catch yourself holding your breath during the day or getting notifications from the square screen on your wrist to BREATHE!
- Box-Breathing: A common yet effective tactic to breathing is the box-breathing. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds and hold for 4 seconds. Repeat this, you guessed it, 4 times! You will notice yourself immediately feeling more relaxed and the weight of your head will feel lighter even after the first round.
- Relax, Restore, Release: More scientifically speaking, breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, which cues our body to stray from stress and unproductive behaviors and forces us to relax, restore, and release.
2. Embrace Micro-Moments
Small, intentional pauses throughout the day can significantly impact your mental clarity and overall well-being.
- Mini Celebrations: Did you check something off your to-do list? Pause and acknowledge it. Celebrating small wins keeps you motivated and reinforces progress.
- Tech-Free Breaks: Step away from your screen for a moment of stillness. Take a short walk, stretch, or simply enjoy a quiet moment with your coffee. These tiny breaks help prevent burnout and refresh your energy.
3. Cultivate Intentional Connections
Fast-paced environments can sometimes make interactions feel transactional rather than meaningful. Whether at work or in life, building human-centered relationships in work requires intentionality.
- Personalized Check-Ins: A simple but sincere check-in can strengthen relationships and foster a supportive workplace culture. Take the time to check-in with yourself too. Remember, you cannot have the capacity to take care of others until you take care of yourself.
- Create a Culture of Appreciation: A handwritten thank-you note, a quick message of encouragement, or a public acknowledgment of someone’s hard work can have a profound impact on team morale and workplace satisfaction. To learn more how to do this check out Spreading Love in Your Business: Small Gestures, Big Impact.
4. Busy vs. Productive
Being busy does not always mean being productive. Obtaining a productive work-life balance is not easy, but it also is not impossible. Reframing productivity to focus on meaningful work rather than just output can lead to greater satisfaction and efficiency.
- Prioritize What Matters: At Fix & Form, we key in on prioritizing what matters. Take the extra time to sit down and create your to-do list. Then, go through and pick the tasks that are most urgent. Identify your most impactful work and give it your full attention, rather than multitasking through an endless to-do list.
- Time Management: In addition to creating a to-do list, time management is key. Fix & Form has a multitude of meetings a day, but our Founder, Anne, has developed a successful tactic that allows us to “give time back.” Even if we have a 45 minute meeting set aside, if we can accomplish everything in 20 minutes, there is no need to extend the meeting the full 45 mins. Instead give time back!
- Adopt a “Less but Better” Mindset: This point plays along with “quality over quantity”. We tend to feel the need to fill our schedules with anything and everything, but this leads to being busy but not productive. Instead of doing more, focus on doing what aligns with your values and goals. Purpose-driven work leads to greater productivity and fulfillment.
5. Take a moment for YOU!
With an overwhelming amount of responsibilities and endless to-do lists, its easy to overlook the most important piece of the equation–you! Take a moment to check in with yourself and remind yourself that your wellness journey matters first and foremost.
- Self-Care: Book that massage, pedicare, spa day, whatever it is that will help you take a moment to recoup. It does not have to be expensive either. Going on a walk or spending time in a coffeeshop are affordable activities that allow you space to be there for you.
- Guilt-Free Rest: As Karjala from Colorado Community Media puts it “allow yourself the time to do something you enjoy, guilt free, and to feel good about it. Remember permission given!” We often find ourselves with free time and rest but are we really resting? Or is your mind always somewhere else, thinking of the next to-do list item? Even dedicating an afternoon, or day to just be will work wonders for your overall well-being.
- Sufficient Sleep: It is no shock that the average person does not get nearly enough sleep they should. And no, caffeine does not cancel out your lack of sleep. Spoiler alert, telling yourself you will just catch up on sleep on the weekends will only make you tired. You never get hours of sleep lost back, so ensure you are prioritizing it throughout the week too.
6. Make Space for Creativity and Innovation
We often get caught thinking rest is a luxury reserved for weekends or vacations, but what if we redefined it as a daily necessity? What if we were living for each day and not just living to get through the day, in order to get to the weekend? Implement time into your daily schedule, even just 20 minutes to focus on a hobby, journaling, or connections. If we’re constantly rushing, we are holding back our work-life balance and leaving little space for creativity to thrive.
- Schedule Unstructured Time: Block off time in your calendar for thinking, brainstorming, or simply stepping away from your desk to gain fresh perspectives. Innovation happens when there is guilt-free room to think, explore, and dream.
- Try new things: There is no better way to discover new interests than actually trying them. Do not be afraid to step out of the box, try a new activity, go on an adventure or take a risk. Pushing yourself out of the norm can inspire you, making you feel refreshed and recharge, and ultimately lead to breakthrough ideas in your personal and work life.
- Collaborate with Openness: Creativity flourishes when diverse ideas and perspectives come together. Foster an environment where brainstorming and curiosity are encouraged. Invite a coworker, friend, or family member to join you in your next brainstorming session. Or if you typically brainstorm in groups, be open to the idea of trying a solo brainstorming session to get in the zone.
7. Give Back and Find Purpose Beyond Work
Sometimes, the best way to find clarity is to shift our focus outward. Engaging in acts of kindness—whether in your business, workplace, or community—can bring a sense of fulfillment and purpose all of which will improve your wellness journey.
- Support Local Initiatives: Volunteer as a team, partner with a local nonprofit, or donate resources to causes that align with your brand’s values. Giving back fosters connection, reinforces a purpose-driven business model, and refocuses your goals.
- Human-centered Gestures: Simple gestures, like buying coffee for a coworker or expressing gratitude to a client, create ripples of positivity that extend beyond the moment. At Fix & Form, we believe in more than just your brand. We want to create a human-centered connection and that all begins with simple gestures.
- Fulfillment over fatigue: The fast-paced environment of the modern world leads to no other outcome but fatigue. Constant go-go-go, always working on the next big thing actually leads to a decrease in productivity. Take a moment to reflect on the purpose of your work and the time you allocate to it. Is it sustainable? Bringing you fulfillment? If you answer no to either of those questions, it might be time to rethink your work.
Breathe, Reset, and Move Forward with Intention
In a world that moves fast, slowing down is a radical act of self-care. At Fix & Form, we help brands find their authentic voice through human-centered rebranding, but we also believe in the importance of individuals doing the same. By incorporating intentional pauses, meaningful connections, and purpose-driven work, we can create lives—and businesses—rooted in fulfillment rather than fatigue.
So, take a deep breath. Inhale clarity, exhale the rush. You’ve got this.
Want to learn more about how Fix & Form creates brands that breathe? Let’s connect.
