Taking a break can be a fabulous recharging strategy – provided it's balanced wtih action and active progress, of course!

I used to go birding (known as bird-watching by non-birders!) but now that we have horses I spend time with them, developing our relationship (and piecesof what I'm learning through this effort I plan on incorporating into my executive and business coaching practice).

I also look through catalogs and read magazines, watch “House” reruns on TV (the only program I watch), and watch films with my husband on Friday or Saturday nights.

One other strategy is whim-days, done once or twice a year: I do whatever I want whenever I want to (no tasks, responsibilities, or obligations allowed), and if I find I'm not enjoying what I'm doing, I just stop (even if whatever it is isn't “finished”) and go do what I now feel like doing.

Then the evenings it is Indoor rock climbing. Unlike something like running or basketball, this requires calm steady movements (much like yoga) so it helps me calm my heart rate for about an hour.