How many of us need a break at one point or another? Perhaps you need it NOW. We all tend to be too busy to take a break and sometimes there is no way that we can get away right at this moment. I can certainly relate. When my kids were growing up, it was impossible to take a break some days. Maybe you are one of those that just wants a day off – no noise, no emails, no notifications. Hiding in your room and reading a book sounds like a good plan. But you know what? Taking care of yourself is so important and there are many signs that you need a break. I’ve listed 10 below.
Have you said to yourself, there is never enough time in the day to get everything done? I’ve said that many times in my life. Do you find yourself running around like a chicken with its head cut off? If you continue at this pace, you will always be behind. You are putting tons of items on your plate and only a few items are getting completed. Everyone has the same amount of hours in the day – we just need to be wise in how we spend them.
If this phrase rings true, then you definitely need a break. Not spending enough time with friends and family is a regret for so many. If you are missing your children’s events, missing those special occasions with your best friends, and your family has no idea where you are at, then a break is long overdue. Time away, and especially with those you love, needs to be a priority.
Are you flexible? Do you hate change? Do you get frustrated when you have plans and they change at the last minute? You may not like change, but change can bring new opportunities and a chance to see new life in a new perspective. However, if you are continually trying to be in charge of every single aspect of your life without allowing room for change it’s time for some time away. If you detest when someone asks to change a meeting time, then you definitely need to take a deep breath and schedule a day off. It has been said that the only constant in life is change so embrace it.
You have not had any injuries. You used to be at the gym five out of seven days a week, but now you are so busy working from sunrise to sunset. You may justify your absence thinking if the fitness club was closer you would try to squeeze in a twenty-minute workout, but it is a balancing act between sleep and working out. Exercise is so important and can clear our minds, refresh our spirit, and can be healing for the soul. You don’t have to belong to a gym, but a daily physical routine will work wonders for your body and mind.
Phone calls anger you.
Perhaps just hearing the ring of your telephone reminds you that you have more work to do. You say to yourself, “I’ll call them back when I have time.” But that extra time never comes. The words “it never ends” continue to cycle through your mind. Work is constantly calling. Even if it is your best friend that you have not talked to in months, you sadly slide the notification to decline. You sigh and say “One day, it will be better – I’ll have more time.” I’m here to tell you that it’s time to take a break and realize that a phone call from your best friend may just be what you need.
What used to bring you joy brings you hindrance.
That hobby and job that you once loved seem more like an obligation than something that makes you smile. You regret every item that has to deal with the job. It feels as if you are chained to it and cannot escape.
You check emails as you go to bed, and right away when you wake up.
Are you answering work emails in your bed at night and then checking your email immediately upon waking? Taking work with you to bed is a recipe for a high-stress lifestyle. Having it by your side 24/7 is a recipe for disaster. You are always thinking about work and adding tasks to your to-do list but you’re not scheduling time for yourself. It’s time for a break.
You drink coffee more than needed.
Do you have a morning, afternoon, and evening coffee with additional shots of espresso? Maybe it’s time to step back and realize that all the caffeine in the world is not going to make your work go away. It’s time for a break, and maybe even more sleep.
You snap at your loved ones.
Do you snap at your loved ones when they ask you a simple question? Do you tighten up when they get too close to you and you are afraid that they are going to ask you to do something for them? Do you feel you’ve pretty much had enough, and you just want to run to your room and hide? Yeah, it’s time to take a break.
You are never home.
Your house looks a mess even though you don’t spend enough time to spend there to make it dirty. You have just a few groceries in your pantry, and the refrigerator is empty with the exception of condiments and expired food. You are literally just at home to sleep and you wake up early to continue the rat race. It’s an unsustainable lifestyle. You live and breathe work.
It’s time for a break if you can relate to just one of these items. It’s time for a week of vacation if more than two apply to you. If you can relate to more than two, it’s definitely time for some downtime. Let’s talk about how this lifestyle is affecting you and those closest to you.
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