So
often, we know inside ourselves that
we need a break. That break might
be a full-fledged vacation or a weekend
getaway. Either way, getting out of
the daily grind can be amazingly liberating
and a huge way to get rid of stress
and anxiety.
Unfortunately,
many people think they can’t
take the time to get away. This is
toxic thinking. Get out and get away!
How many times have you continued
working, knowing that you are not
giving 100% to the task at hand? How
many times have you read or written
the same sentence over and over again,
as your mind keeps wandering and thinking
about other things? How often have
you wanted to take a break from the
family or kids but feared the consequences
of doing so? It’s time for a
break!
Why
do we not allow ourselves the time
to take a ‘time out’?
Perhaps we feel like we don’t
deserve it or that there’s just
too much to be done. There are many
genuine reasons for needing to complete
jobs and tasks; however we may also
on occasion have ‘hidden agendas’
as to why we cannot stop for a break.
Why?
It could be ego. Some people simply
enjoy boasting about, ‘how late
they had to work in order to complete
a project’ or ‘how much
effort they invested in order to complete
the job so quickly’. This type
of person is often looking to impress
others with their efforts, thereby
increasing their ego in the process.
Maybe
you think you just can’t take
the time off. "I can’t
stop; I just have to get this finished".
Does this sound familiar? "I
can’t stop because the job has
to be finished, WHY? So I can move
straight on to the next thing, and
the next, and the next etc…"
This person will find that there is
always something that has to be done,
which will constantly prevent him/her
from taking a break.
Maybe
you just feel like you need to be
needed. A mother managing the household,
kids and other chores may feel as
if her household will collapse if
she were to put her feet up or take
a weekend off! By not taking a break
she can keep convincing herself that
her role is crucial and the family
would collapse without her input.
This may indeed be true, but is still
not a good enough reason to prevent
her having a rest!
Get
rid of that thinking! You can get
some amazing benefits just by taking
a little time for yourself! Allowing
your mind and/or body to rest can
help re-focus your attention, sharpen
your wits and increase motivation.
In addition, taking time out helps
to relieve stress, can aid the recovery
of tired muscles and also promotes
the discovery that there is more to
life than just work.
Many athletes will tell you that an
important part of their training routine
is rest. Muscles need time to repair
after a workout. Remember that your
brain is a type of muscle as well.
It needs time to rest and recuperate
in order to perform at its best. By
giving your brain time off, you’ll
be able to better concentrate and
give tasks you once found difficult
your full attention. They’ll
be easier, believe me!
So
you’ve decided that a break
is in order. Good for you! A break
can be anything from a 10-minute meditation
session to a trip around the world,
and anything in-between. I think a
break should be something that takes
your mind off of a preoccupation with
the everyday tedium of life.
So depending on the time you wish
to avail towards relaxing you may
enjoy reading, watching a movie, cooking,
playing with the kids, riding a motorbike
or driving, exercising or doing sports,
traveling or simply sleeping!
While
you are taking this rest, above all,
allow yourself the time to do it and
don’t feel guilty about. You
will gain so very much by this time
off, so enjoy the time you are giving
yourself.
Life will go on without you and contrary
to what your mind might be telling
you, everyone will survive –
even when you’re not there!
Let everything go and concentrate
on YOU for once instead of everyone
around you!
If
you’re feeling tired, unmotivated
or just in need of a rest, don’t
be a martyr or look negatively at
this. You may actually find that in
reality, allowing yourself a break
will actually help you ultimately
become more efficient and effective
in every part of your life. Plus you’ll
get the badly needed recharging of
your “batteries” that
you need and sorely deserve!
Work
can probably be one of the most stressful
places to be. You might think that
none of these techniques can help
you when you’re around your
co-workers. You couldn’t be
more wrong.
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