Shake up your tired routine

A few days on holiday will do wonders for your attitude at work

To be doing what you really want to be doing is the goal. The point of a goal, though, is that it's in the future and you have to travel a path to get there, which can be extremely frustrating if you want things to change immediately.

As you wait for the right time to make the big decisions, like moving abroad, or taking a career break, there are plenty of small ways to shake-up a tired routine. Don't let work be the boss and the rest of your life fall by the wayside. Here are some things you could do to improve your life in the meantime...

Wine tasting course

It is extremely easy to get into the habit of necking a glass of wine (or five) every night in front of the TV to try to wind down after a long day. Wine tasting courses make the whole thing a much more interesting experience (as well as pleasing the taste buds too).

Volunteering

Nothing like helping others to promote a sense of general well-being and create the real satisfaction of doing something worthwhile with your spare time.

Blogging

In this high-tech age you don't have to have a publisher to have your views read by thousands. Set up a blog to spread your wisdom, vent your rage, and generally to offload onto a computer screen.

It helps to write things out to get them off your chest. And you might discover a hidden talent. See link below.

Learn a musical instrument

It doesn't matter if Mozart starts spinning in his grave - taking up a musical instrument is so different to the normal run-of-the-mill routine that it can be incredibly relaxing. Buy one or two lessons for different instruments to see what you most enjoy.

Learn a language

If you have some wanderlust sparkling inside you, give it something to latch onto while you're still at your 9-5. Even if your travelling dreams are going to take a while to fulfil, learning a language while you save up means you don't feel like you're wasting time. It'll exercises your mind in a different way too.

Go for a retreat

Sometimes a couple of days away in solitude can be the key to finding new clarity about where you are. Organise your own break somewhere quiet and beautiful, or use a retreat company who will cater to your individual needs.

Create something

Pottery, ceramics, dressmaking, jewellery design... art classes offer day and evening classes for almost every taste. This is about setting aside your own time for something you enjoy, or learning something new. And it's something to look forward to in the week.

Work overseas on holiday

Having a holiday while also contributing to the country you visit is a great plan if you want to get a feel of what it might be like to volunteer overseas. Half relaxing, half work, it will always be an experience. It's a good way to experiment with different countries and jobs in a short-term way.

Join a gym

Yeah yeah, blah blah, the gym. Granted, this seems a bit of a tired suggestion, but it's tried and tested.

The long-term effects for health are wonderful, of course, but the short-term stress relief is not to be sniffed at: having endorphins flying around your body improves your outlook and physical wellbeing, especially if you're desk bound.

Get a life-coach

Dissatisfaction that you don't know how to get rid of, or having a goal that seems too much like fantasy to make happen, is frustrating.

One option is to employ a life coach who can offer objective views and realistic advice about how to get to where you want to be.

Learn to dance

It's not embarrassing when there's a whole class full, and it's a fun way to get fitter. The worse you are, the more hilarious it is anyway, and the sense of achievement when you eventually make the moves will be much greater.

Get a new qualification

Changing career sometimes requires extra qualifications, which can be off-putting. Doing it gradually, in the evenings at a college or through Open University makes it more manageable, less pressurising and gives you a new focus.

Visit an art gallery

Open your mind! See something different, get inspired, think about what is art and what isn't, or just let the exhibitions be eye candy. Regularly feasting your senses at a gallery will let your brain have things other than a screensaver to think about.

Keep chickens

Yes, this is left field but if you're looking for an escape from the city and haven't made it out yet, trying your hand at keeping chickens is a good introduction. Cooking with your own organic eggs is healthy as well so you'll be killing two birds with one stone (only metaphorically).

Tend to your garden

Weeding is, believe it or not, a good stress reliever. If you don't have a garden, an allotment can be an excellent means of escapism into a completely different environment. Whether it's vegetables you like or hedges clipped into startling shapes, it's your blank canvas.

Join a book club

An excellent choice if you feel that too much of one thing is making you brain-dead but you don't fancy studying in the evenings. Enjoyable and a good forum for discussion. Plus, it's a good way to meet more interesting people.

Start flexible working

If it is possible to do your job from home sometimes, see if your company is amenable to the idea; cutting out the commute a day a week can be a great way to keep the stress levels from getting you down, see your family more, and actually get more work done during the day.

Join a sports team

If you don't want to be locked into a gym membership, joining a local team - football, athletics, basketball - is a great way to get exercise and get rid of stress. The team aspect is also a good motivator to go every week rather than just being responsible to yourself, which makes it easier to trail off.

Get a lunch-time activity

If you're desk-bound it's tempting to sit through lunch, working as you eat. It's not a good habit, mentally or physically. Make plans to meet people for lunch, or get a group of colleagues who are interested in learning a language and arrange for a tutor to come into work.

Take a break

While you're waiting for a sabbatical or a windfall, don't languish at home. With the vast range of cheap flights and budget hotels, it is entirely possible to get good deals and discover the world.

- INDEPENDENT