5 Ways To Unplug From Work

woman at her laptop at night

Struggling to create space for self-care amidst a busy work schedule? We’ve all been there.

For Latinos, balancing work and personal life can present unique challenges. The pressure to succeed and meet demanding deadlines can be overwhelming, especially if we see work as more than just a job - for many, it’s a part of their identity, culture, and pride. And while this can be a powerful motivator, it can also blur the boundaries between work and personal life, making it difficult to switch off.


A healthier workplace means a more productive one, so let's dive into five effective ways to prioritize self-care, unwind, and recharge. Hopefully, you'll be on your way to thriving in all areas of your life - not just the workplace.

Establish clear boundaries

One effective way to do this is by setting a specific time to end work each day and sticking to it. This could mean shutting down your computer or turning off your work phone at a specific time each evening, and committing to not checking work-related emails or taking calls during your free time.

By doing so, you'll create a clear divide between work and personal time, allowing you to fully switch off and recharge. Remember, establishing clear boundaries is not a selfish act, but rather a necessary one for both your personal and professional growth.

Engage in physical activities

It's time to get moving! Engaging in physical activities like walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming can be a great way to unwind.

Exercise has been proven to be an effective stress reliever, as it releases endorphins, the body's natural "feel-good" chemicals. In addition to reducing stress levels, regular physical activity can improve your overall health by strengthening your muscles and bones, boosting your immune system, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.

So, whether it's a leisurely stroll in nature or a fun Zumba workout, make time for physical activity in your daily routine. Even a little bit of exercise can go a long way in improving your mood and overall well-being.

Pursue a hobby

Engaging in activities that you enjoy, such as reading, painting, cooking, gardening, or playing a musical instrument, can be a great way to redirect your focus away from work and promote relaxation.

Hobbies offer a much-needed mental escape from the stresses of daily life, allowing you to unwind and recharge your batteries. They also provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, as you develop new skills and engage in activities that bring you joy.

Whether it's getting lost in a good book, creating a beautiful painting, or tending to a garden, make time for your hobbies. Not only will they improve your mental health and well-being, but they can also boost your creativity and problem-solving skills, making you more productive and effective at work.

Spend time with friends and family

Catching up over dinner, going on a weekend getaway, or simply spending time together at home, prioritize making time for socializing with your loved ones. It's easy to get caught up in the demands of work and let relationships take a backseat, but research shows that social support is crucial for our mental health and resilience.

By taking the time to connect with the people who matter most, you'll feel more supported, happier, and better equipped to handle the challenges of daily life. So, put down your phone, step away from the computer, and make time for those important connections.

Take a break

If you're feeling overwhelmed and unable to take a full vacation, consider taking a mental health day to recharge and reset. This could mean spending the day doing something you enjoy, like reading a book, taking a yoga class, or simply relaxing at home.

Remember, taking a break is not a sign of weakness but a necessary component of self-care. It allows you to disconnect from the stresses of daily life, prioritize your well-being, and return to work feeling more focused and productive.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a tropical beach vacation or a staycation in your own city, just make time to prioritize your well-being and take a break. You deserve it!

a woman giving the side eye to a man

Have you ever met someone who seems overly confident, self-centered, or even downright rude? Maybe they constantly talk about themselves, disregard your feelings, or even manipulate situations to their advantage. And, if you're anything like us and countless other Latinas, you might've thought, is this person just a purebred a**hole, or are they a narcissist?

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Image by Sayuri Jimenez.

Nathalie Molina Niño has never been one to shy away from breaking barriers, and now, she’s focusing her attention on a new mission: demystifying corporate boardrooms for women, especially Latinas. Molina Niño is the President of Known, an asset management and financial services firm, a veteran tech entrepreneur and builder capitalist, and a board member at the iconic lingerie Brand, Hanky Panky, and others.

Like many corporate boards, Hanky Panky hadn’t publicly disclosed its board composition until recently. After the brand survived the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Molina Niño decided it was time for more women, specifically more Latinas, to know what it means to be on corporate boards.

Coincidentally, the decision to finally be more vocal about this topic aligned with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which served as the perfect kick-off to the work.

"Something that rarely gets talked about and I think almost gets kept opaque by design is boards,” she explains in a recent Instagram announcement. “[This Latinx Heritage Month], that’s what I’ll be talking about.” Her goal? To equip more Latinas with the knowledge they need to navigate onto for-profit boards, where they can thrive and build multi-generational wealth.

For-profit corporate boards often feel like an exclusive club. And in many ways, they are, especially for Latinas, who hold the smallest percentage of board seats in Fortune 500 companies compared to other racial groups. According to the latest report from Latino Board Monitor, while Latinos hold 4.1% of these board seats (compared to 82.5% held by white people), only 1% go to Latinas. Molina Niño, a first-generation American of Ecuadorian and Colombian descent, is part of this boardroom minority.

When asked about her experience as a Latina board member during a recent Zoom interview, she said, “It’s been lonely. There’s not a lot of Latinas on boards.” She went on to explain that even serving on boards of Latina-founded businesses gets lonely because, “A lot of the times, people who serve on their boards represent their investors and, as a result, [...] you still don’t see a lot of Latinas on those boards.”

This lack of representation drives Molina Niño’s determination to increase Latina presence in corporate boardrooms. By sharing her insights, she hopes to give Latinas a roadmap to claim their seats at the table. “If you don’t know where to go, it’s impossible to figure out how to get there,” she says.

The Road to the Boardroom

Getting onto a for-profit corporate board isn’t an overnight achievement, but it’s not an unattainable dream either. People often think you need to be a CEO or have a certain type of background, but that’s one of the biggest myths about boards in Molina Niño’s experience. What they’re really looking for is expertise — whether that’s in finance, marketing, sustainability, or even technology. If you have that expertise, you’re already an asset. It’s simply a matter of which road you should take.

Understanding what boards are and how they operate is key to unlocking opportunities. For-profit boards serve as the governing body for companies, overseeing direction and financial stability, and guiding CEOs and executives in decision-making. But Molina Niño emphasizes that not all for-profit boards are created equal.

“There are two kinds [of for-profit boards] [...]. There’s the publicly traded business board and then, on the privately held side, there are, I would argue, two types of boards [...] the traditional business board and the venture-backed business board,” explains Molina Niño. Traditional businesses are often family-owned or long-established and may only form boards to meet requirements, like securing financing or transitioning through an ESOP. Venture-backed boards, on the other hand, are typically filled by investors who hold major stakes in the company.

According to Molina Niño, understanding the difference between them is how you can create a successful strategy. With publicly traded business boards, the whole world is privy to them, so, “The way that you get in there is a little bit more transparent. Sometimes those publicly traded companies will hire a recruiter to help them find new board members,” explains Molina Niño. For private companies, on the other hand, there’s no legal requirement to make announcements. As a result, most people don’t know anything about them or their inner workings.

“Usually what happens in traditional businesses that don’t have venture-capital investments is that the Founders, Executives, or the board members, if one existed already, they usually go to their friends,” and people they deem experienced to fill board seats. In other words, it’s the founder’s decision, and that’s an entirely different approach than hiring recruiters. When it comes to venture-backed business boards, the seats on the board are filled by whichever investor writes the biggest check.

This is why an understanding of the different types of boards and acknowledgment of their own strengths is what will help Latinas define a sound strategy. Whether that’s working with a recruiter, networking and connecting with founders to build trust, or making the biggest investment.

The Path for Latinas

For Molina Niño, the key to getting more Latinas into corporate boardrooms is education. Knowing what a board looks like and how it functions is how you can position yourself to get on it. In openly talking about this, without the mystique it’s usually shrouded in, Molina Niño is providing women, especially Latinas, with invaluable insights. “If we had Latinas understanding what are the three types of for-profit boards I think that, on their own, they would be able to figure out what their best chance is and adjust their careers to make themselves more competitive,” states Molina Niño.

When asked about the impact of increased Latina representation in boardrooms, Molina Niño flips the narrative. “Boards don’t help Latinas by offering them seats; Latinas help businesses thrive by being on their boards,” she says. “The whole point of sitting on a board is that you have experience and expertise, and as Latinas, you also have some cultural experience that everyone wants. [...] At the end of the day, we [Latinas] have to realize that we have a ton to offer and we have to be selective about where we put that expertise,” she explains.

As demand for access to the Latina consumer rises, Molina Niño predicts that more Latinas will find themselves recruited into boardrooms. But she’s not content to sit back and wait for that moment. By openly sharing her journey and insights, she’s making sure other Latinas know their worth and have the tools to claim their place at the table. “I realized that quietly being on boards that helped me personally is not helping other Latinas. [...] I was lucky enough to have friends who could advise me and share their experiences, so that’s why I’m doing this,” she stated.

With Hispanic Heritage Month as the backdrop, Nathalie Molina Niño’s mission is clear: “My goal is just to give Latinas enough information so they can make a plan for how to eventually get on a board that they’re paid to be on and that will eventually help them build generational wealth.”

flags of latin american countries fly behind performers wearing culturally traditional clothing

Ever noticed how September in Latin America is just one big celebration? As we wave goodbye to summer and avoid winter as long as we can, the streets come alive with parades, music, and festivities. Many Latin American countries celebrate their freedom this month, commemorating their hard-fought battles for independence from colonial domination. Let’s dive into these significant days and understand what makes each unique.

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