Every once and a while, all corporate bohemians need to STOP. Just stop doing it all and RELAX. But when you’re up to speed, stopping can prove to be the hardest thing to do.

When do you need to stop?
Key spot-on signs that you’ve got off limits:

• Mornings are hell. You simply can’t wake up; you don’t remember how you’ve showered or dressed up, you don’t enjoy your morning routines (e.g. coffee, tea or whatever sets you up for a great day).
• Food is no longer a pleasure but means of getting energy into your body in desperate attempts to get alert.
• All seems blank, blunt and you remember there is some purpose to life, but you are no longer dedicated to exploring the topic further. You have become a biological creature that eats and sleeps.
• Evenings are another torture but you stand the pain heroically. You go out with people, keeping up to your over-booked schedule, making sure everyone has the privilege of having in-depth conversations on all topics of their interest. You talk without thinking much, and later forget what you said.
• You feel miserable, because your body keeps alarming you and beating the imaginary set of drums in your head: STOP. SLEEP. Isolate from the world and take your time.

Here are a few strategies to get out of this state of misery fast, even on workdays:

Mornings:

• Drink as much fresh juice as you can, and I mean – litres. You need an easy-to-operate juicer at home, and those small electric citrus-press gadgets are ideal. All you need is a few kilos of grapefruits, oranges, lemons and tangerines, as well as 10 minutes more. Be late for work, squeeze your oranges!
• There is nothing you can do but go to work. No self-respectful corporate bohemian will call sick unless they really are. So get up and go to work. It’s no one’s fault you go out every night and travel over the weekends.
• Drink a lot of water. Keep drinking throughout the day and eat vegetables, fruits and nuts.
• Think about the upcoming evening all day long, and plan for it. Leave early and go straight home!

Evenings:

• Take your time. Your evenings are yours and no one else’s. Clear the agenda having no mercy to those who only want to spend some nice time in your pleasant company. They will understand when you tell them the truth, which is you are too tired to be good company. We are all humans and unless someone’s life depends on your presence, don’t meet people.
• Switch-off all devices. Yes, even your phone, unless you use it to listen to some meditation music. If so, log out of all applications that dispose you as available to the world. Don’t pick up the phone, even if your best friends are calling. The only exceptions are you parents, siblings and loved ones. Pick-up, tell them that you’re sleeping, they will hang up. No further questions asked.
• Supporting materials: scented candles, dark curtains, silence or meditation music (available even on Youtube), warm drink like mint or camomile tea in a nice heavy pot, your favourite clean sheets and… your bed.
• GO TO BED. As early as you can. You won’t be able to fall asleep for some time, but you must force yourself to lie down. Breathe deeply with your stomach. Calm down, don’t think, take your time.

How do you know when you’re ready to rock again?
You just know. You are back to life! Enjoy.