Unplug

29/03/2026

We’ve been quiet for a while because we chose to go deeper BUT we're back.

In that time, we listened more closely to the stories people were carrying out of toxic work spaces. We paid attention to what burnout actually feels like in the body, what survival does to identity, and why rest alone is not enough to restore someone who has been in prolonged stress. And we rebuilt.

We’re back now, with more clarity, more intention, and a shift in how we hold this work.

We are now returning as a cohort-based model.

What that means is this that instead of retreats or one-off sessions, we’re creating intentional, guided experiences where a small group of people move through the recovery process together, over a set period of time. Each cohort is designed to be structured, supported, and deeply immersive, allowing you to not only learn, but actually integrate the work in real time.

You won’t be doing this alone.

You’ll be moving through a carefully designed journey, alongside others who understand what it means to come out of toxic environments and are committed to doing the work of rebuilding.

What you can expect from us is deeper conversations about toxic work spaces and its real impact, practical tools that go beyond surface-level wellness, and spaces designed for people who are not just trying to cope, but to actually heal and restore their sense of self.

Unplug is one of those spaces, a nervous system and re-education experience designed for people ready to come home to themselves after environments that required them to disconnect in order to survive.

If you’ve been here before, welcome back. If you’re new here, you’re right on time. If you’re ready to do this work in a more intentional, supported way, we’ll be sharing how to join the next cohort soon.

27/10/2024

27/10/2024

Have you ever tried to REST, only to find yourself overwhelmed with feeling stressed and having negative thoughts? Turns out a lot of us experience this.

3 years ago, I don’t know how to REST at all. I had to learn that I am the best healer of my own burnout and exhaustion and I can deliberately find a way to deep rest. The path looked simple to walk, but was hard to enter. It took a couple of attempts for my body to also get familiar with the idea of resting.

When was the last time you took a whole day off to simply unplug, rest and recharge? I'd like to know...

Years ago when I was conceptualizing unplug, which is a transformative program designed to help professionals learn how to unplug and rest as they navigate the workplace, I learned that he more work there is in your life, the more time you should make for rest.
It may sound like a paradox, but you need to maintain the BLEND between those two elements and that's what we aim to do with unplug. You can check us out here 👇
https://toxicworkspaces.com/unplug/

How do you spend you LEAVE DAYS?

Most professionals I get to interact with share that during those days, they get to travel to see the progress of their projects, visit relatives, or they share how they don't have to wake up early and sit in a meeting for hours. If you think deeply about how you spend your leave or off days, it is easy to let the lines blur. For years, you'll fail to notice that you are never resting.

Without thinking too hard, what can you name that could possibly give you an even deeper sense of relaxation?

When I recommend professionals to take time to unplug and rest, I mention that adulthood is a stage of life in which the to-do list is never going to end you'll never have enough TIME TO REST but if they want to experience rest, they have to decide how they spend their time.

Now that you are here, allow me to ask, what type of rest do you need most now? You can identify which deficit you have here
👇
https://toxicworkspaces.com/rest/ and then get in touch with me. Together, we'll come up with a customized plan on how you can BLEND work and life which will require you to take a day or more to UNPLUG and REST.

I wish you all an amazing Sunday

24/05/2024

If you notice your mood lifting when you think of water, whether sunbathing by a lake or ocean, swimming in a local pool or watering hole, boating on a river, or sipping ice-cold lemonade as beads of condensation drip down the glass— that’s no coincidence. Being in and around water has proven benefits for well-being.

Are you aware that water satisfies all five senses? I think that makes it really special.

The smell of ocean air essentially tells our system to relax, as minerals like salt, magnesium, and potassium in sea air calm the physical body.

The act of simply looking at water is soothing too.

Research has proven that listening to water sounds — raindrops, rolling waves, running creeks — has also been shown to reduce stress hormones and ease anxiety.

Shi Kang'ethe is a blue mind and that's how she introduced Unplug as a program by toxicworkspaces.com which is designed to help professionals unplug and rest.

We hope you get to one day experience the calming effects of water with us at Toxic Work Spaces For now, enjoy the photo below Shi captured during a stay at Silver Palm Spa And Resort-Kilifi and have a wonderful and restful weekend.

27/03/2024

Digital overload is a real concern, leading to decreased productivity, increased stress, and burnout. Constant exposure to screens can disrupt concentration, hinder creativity, and negatively affect mental and physical health. To address these issues, we are now exploring the benefits of digital detoxing or unplug as a solution to boost workplace productivity and employee well-being.

Implementing unplug strategies in and out of the workplace requires thoughtful planning and ex*****on. We will be creating tailored resources to create and maintain a holistic wellness life and provide ongoing support to ensure the program's success.

If you're ready to lean more about what to expect from unplug by Toxic Work Spaces visit our website to learn more 👇

Unplug A tech-free experience designed to help professionals unplug At Toxic Work Spaces, we understand the toll that toxic work spaces can take on individuals and leaders alike. That’s why we’ve curated a unique, tech-free experience aimed at helping you unplug, unwind, and re-imagine work-life...

20/03/2024

Someone on Twitter confessed that they miss the days when a doctor would prescribe that you go sit by the sea and drink warm broth to cure your agonies.

When I was navigating a toxic work space, taking time to unplug and also taking blue mind therapy sessions helped me a whole lot. Years later, being by the ocean continues to center and heal me. I am passionate about helping professionals navigate the workplace and often I recommend that they take time to unplug and rest or try immersing themselves in blue minds for their whole person well-being. It's said that proximity to the ocean can have a positive impact on your health: the closer you are to the sea, the better you feel.

Did you know that being near to the ocean is relaxing? Have you experienced it? If not, would you like to?

Researchers have found that the sound of waves alters brain patterns, which lulls you into a deeply relaxed state and rejuvenates body and mind.

Also, the seaside encourages physical activity, even if it's simply a walk on the beach or like in my case, I love photography.

Being near to the ocean greatly affects mental wellbeing. As you sit on the beach listening to the roar of the waves, feeling the ocean breeze blow through your hair and enjoy the warmth of the sun on your skin, you feel wonderful. This seaside buzz is known as "thalassotherapy", a term coined by Hippocrates.

The rhythmic sound of the waves pounding the shore enables a meditative state. The benefits of meditation are far reaching: stress reduction, deep relaxation, increased happiness, improved peace of mind, spontaneity and heightened creativity.

So if you are ready to unplug your devices in order to enhance your immune system, increase alertness and improve your concentration. And, oh sleep well, try blue mind or thalassotherapy.

It's good for you!

Have a lovely afternoon.

20/03/2024

Maybe you can’t afford to miss a call from a potential employer; maybe your work IS being on social media. The point I’m making is we now live in a culture where time away from a screen is considered a luxury (and for elites, according to the New York Times), which leads me to this terrifying thought: our attention is for sale. And we’re consuming things with few limitations and boundaries that place our self-interest top of mind.

What's shocking is that even when we’re so aware of our distractions, even when I’m writing about said distractions, we find ourselves struggling to wrap our head around how unmanageable they have become. And they designed it that way.

Unplug is designed to help busy professionals take time away from it all, especially work and get them to experience life in a more rested setting. But over the last couple of months it's becoming harder to unplug. To learn more about unplug by Toxic Work Spaces visit 👇

https://toxicworkspaces.com/unplug/

17/03/2024

In our latest blog post, get to read about what Nora Nyongesa, a counselling psychologist and lead expert at Toxic Work Spaces Nora thinks about the compelling correlation between how we are perceived in the workplace and the resolution of conflicts or the the formation of worldviews.

Read more on Nora's view on how and why others perceive us at work isn't based on our true selves, but rather on their own worldview and triggers. She sheds light on the commonality of triggers, where people expect us to conform to certain ideals that may not align with who we truly are.

https://toxicworkspaces.com/2024/03/10/why-how-were-viewed-at-work-matters/

08/01/2024

This is such a great way to start the week!

We have reached 1.5K followers and we'd like to thank you for your continued support. We could not have done it without each of you.

We have so much lined up for professionals who'd like to learn how to rest and unplug better in 2024.

Once again, thank you and wishing you all a great week ahead.