How Much Time Off Does An IMer Medically Need?

[dog-tag]

Just wondering what you guys think is the right amount of rest a week?

Over the last 3 years I have worked like a dog 7 days a week with very seldom days off. In all that time I have seen fortunes of money come and go and it has really taken its toll on my stress levels. I even delayed a product launch over it.

I lost $80k recently, and I'm starting to think I should spend more time offline and worry about my health and stress levels instead of money. I wear a baseball cap alot just to stop myself from pulling my hair out.

So what is the right amount of time off to keep yourself balanced? I'm thinking of taking 3/4 of all Sundays off.

 

[HackZu]

You're definitely right about worrying about your health and stress level. After all, money without the ability to enjoy it, is pretty pointless.

What I prefer doing is taking breaks over the course of each day, so roughly each hour, I will get up for 5 minutes, get some fresh air and back to work. After 4 hours of work, I'll take a longer break, 15-30 minutes. Then do another 4 hour block, break, and then another one. This way I can do 12 hours of work per day with roughly 2 hours of breaks. At 6 hours of sleep per night, this leaves me with 4 hours/day of leisure time to exercise, meditate, read and catching up with friends or getting some more work done. I do this from Monday to Saturday.

On Sundays I allow myself to sleep in, catch up with blogs and BHW and do the planning for the next week in terms of goals. I'll end up doing work nevertheless, because I dont want to feel like I wasted a whole day.

Every 3 or 4 months I will go on vacation for about a week, reduce the workload to about 8 hours a day and enjoy the rest of time.

 

[Rotem Guez]

I think that you need a little vacation man.
Take a small trip to somewere without an internet connection and relax a bit

 

[C@MEL]

Lol only 3/4 of the Sundays, that is only 1 day in a month...? I sport 4 times a week between work I also takes a pauze sometimes and browse BHW or watch a YT video. No stress and I feel great

Relax a little more

 

[otto14]

Have you ever heard of outsourcing? Seriously outsource everything and go live your life...

 

[kugundo]

medically you can die sitting in front of the pc, there was a story about a korean who played wow the whole time and didnt eat anything and died. maybe its only a legend

 

[KardoseR]

Find a way to automate things.

But please dont go realise that you just worked your entire life when you are at your 60's ok? Too late.

 

[hellnation]

This is a very good question, and in my situation is very important to make a good choice. I got big health issues and I have to be efficient with my time if I want to have any sort of success. Some days I'll feel so bad that I can't do anything. I think the answer is to work smarter, automate and delegate. If you are already established, why not surround yourself with good people?

 

[angelspit]

What's the point of working so much if you're going to end up wanting to commit suicide? Everyone has their own thresh hold , the key is knowing when to step back a little bit.

 

[infoasian]

Just wondering what you guys think is the right amount of rest a week?

Just noticed you are from Thailand. Why not get a good massage with four hands?

 

[dog-tag]

Lol only 3/4 of the Sundays, that is only 1 day in a month...?

I mean I would take off 75% of my Sundays (still have to check emails etc and see how things are)

Have you ever heard of outsourcing? Seriously outsource everything and go live your life...

I outsource alot of design work, articles etc but I'm very hands on, people tend to screw me around with quality and time so I just like doing alot of jobs myself. I feel I learn from it too but mainly it's a trust issue.

Some days I'll feel so bad that I can't do anything. I think the answer is to work smarter, automate and delegate. If you are already established, why not surround yourself with good people?

I feel ye buddy, IM isn't as easy as people think especially when you're under pressure. I thought living in Thailand would have done that, but workers here are very lazy. I outsource to my GF as much as possible LoL

Just noticed you are from Thailand. Why not get a good massage with four hands?

Just for you I got a message in the airport today The time before that the bitch hurt my back so I'm not a big fan, I'd prefer going for a jog to be honest.

It's nice to see taking some more time off isn't so bad. I just feel as if I let myself down if I'm not working. I try to chill by the pool at a nearby Hilton resort but I get very anxious and annoyed with myself for doing it.

 

[tomsko]

If you can, take a whole week off each month
You can do some basic checking up, but don't work that week

 

[Trepanated]

Taking just 3 days off each month is not enough. You need real time out to recharge your batteries. You've already mentioned high stress levels and the sooner you take action to remediate that the better. Ongoing stress leaves you prone to all manner of other health issues so dealing with it is important.

Of course, having worked 7 days a week for 3 years you'll feel anxious at first, but you'll soon notice a both a drop in stress levels and a corresponding increase in productivity.

Maybe take every Sunday off and at least one full weekend each month to start with and then review it.

I'll bet your business doesn't suffer at all and you'll feel a whole lot better.

 

[BrandingBaw]

Stop working in weekends. Go out and spend some quality time with either friends or family, or go out to meet new people. You'll be surprised what you might walk into.

Learn to separate work from life buddy, it's not healthy body-wise, but more importantly mind-wise to work 24/7. Eventually you'll break down and trust me you'd wish you took those weekends of, because recovering from a burnout takes a lot of time, without any work...

All the best!

 

[SpookSEO]

medically you can die sitting in front of the pc, there was a story about a korean who played wow the whole time and didnt eat anything and died. maybe its only a legend

Heard about that too.

 

[erickishere]

Start taking weekends off its only 2 days and work on the weekdays. Start going to the gym too OP its honestly the best stress reliever. You'll get healthy by exercising its only an hour of exercising each day

 

[meathead1234]

I had the same issue when I first started.

In the last 12 months I've doubled my productivity (and income) and I'd put it down to the following lifestyle changes:

- go work in a small office (even if you have no staff).
- get fit. Eat better, go to the gym (mornings).
- take weekends off (just check emails).

I still don't take full days off without checking emails, but found sticking to a routine and making sure I take weekends off has made a lot of difference. Just grind it out during the week and work 14-16 hours a day and you'll be fine.

 

[Kimi]

You just can't die from sitting in front of PC. That guy died OBVIOUSLY because of no eating and didn't took not even 1 minute of break. Stop spreading shit

Sitting in front of PC for a super long time is not healthy, it will affect your fitness and health. Keeping it balanced is recommended. Take breaks on each hour and you will feel better.

 

[UrsuAke]

You just can't die from sitting in front of PC. That guy died OBVIOUSLY because of no eating and didn't took not even 1 minute of break. Stop spreading shit

Sitting in front of PC for a super long time is not healthy, it will affect your fitness and health. Keeping it balanced is recommended. Take breaks on each hour and you will feel better.

You can die from sleep deprivation also.

To the OP, Meathead gave you a sound advice, it will do the trick even for a workaholic.