Unwind and unplug—words many people dread to read or hear because they are reminded of how overwhelmed and stressed they’ve become thanks to hectic lifestyles and technology. When people are overly busy, they can lose important connections with family, friends and the community, and forget to make sure their mental and physical health is intact.

Additionally, being too busy can actually harm productivity and energy management. When people are unable to fully focus on one task they have a lower chance of doing their best. In a recent article, Tony Schwartz, CEO of The Energy Project, explained that rest and renewing energy “can help you to get more done by allowing you to be more intentional with your energy—so when you’re relaxing, you’re really relaxing, and when you’re working, you’re fully engaged with work.”

So now is the perfect time to make healthy changes. Challenge yourself to focus on your health in every area of your life.

Below are some tips on how to regain your time:

• Exercise is a great way to focus on reducing stress and reaching your healthiest weight.
• Unplug from technology for a designated period of time. For 25 days, Baratunde Thurston, a New York Times best-selling author and consultant, challenged himself to a digital detox. The results were positive. He was able to reconnect with friends and family, and catch up on leisure reading and movies, among other enjoyable activities.
• Relaxation techniques may include taking a leisure walk, breathing slowly, trying yoga, or getting a massage from a licensed professional. For more information on the benefits of massage therapy, read The Many Reasons Why Everybody Deserves a Massage.
• Plant a garden and cook healthy meals.

For more information and tips on rest and relaxation, check out this article. For details on National Take Back Your Time Day, visit www.timeday.org.