That’s right, you wouldn’t normally associate relaxing and taking a break with higher productivity levels, but it’s true!

One too many of us think that if we push ourselves to work harder and more often, then at some point we will live better and feel better. But is that really true? So many of us, even while we are on vacation, aren’t ever fully on vacation, because we can’t resist checking our work emails, or just doing some ‘small’ things here and there. Sound familiar? If it does, we really want to encourage you to take a step back and give yourself some loving self-care. In order to do this mindfully and healthily, we really do need to learn how to take a break and re-learn how to relax. If you’re a high-achiever, or learning to cope with your perfectionism, how about aiming for the ultimate break? The one we all need to live a healthier and, yes, productive life.  

The Benefits of Taking a Break

When we take a break, whether it’s the afternoon off, a day off, or a week off, we give our minds and body the ability to recharge, so that yes, we can perform even more efficiently than if we just kept going, and going, and going. 

Here are some of the benefits of learning how to truly step back and relax: 

Stress Management - By taking long or short breaks we reduce significant levels of stress from our lives, work and bodies. Stress, especially chronic stress, or recurring stress, can truly take a heavy toll on our mental and physical health. If we don’t make time for ourselves, we will most likely come to a breaking point, beyond our control. 

If you see yourself as a controlling person, well then great, then you can easily control when you’ll set aside breaks and relaxation time for yourself in your busy schedule. Stress affects our immune systems, our sleep cycles, digestion, moods, hair and skin. You name it, stress will have an impact on it. 

Clearer and more Optimistic Thinking - Overwhelming our schedules, minds and bodies with work make it hard to see through the clutter, and make it even harder to gain perspective. When we treat ourselves to a healthy mindful break, we train our minds to unload the unnecessary stress and buildup they may have slipped in with all the other stressful obligations and demands we’ve had during the day. Please, give yourself the time to unpack the overload you’ve piled onto your plate. Both you, your work and your relationships will benefit from the break. 

Have a nice time, that you very much deserve! - This may just be one of the more obvious benefits, but then again, we very often overlook the obvious, don’t we? Unless you’re one of those very lucky people who 100% love their work from all angles and aspects, then you’ll want to add some ‘me-time’ into your busy schedule. A time for you to do the things you love and enjoy. Activities that make you feel at home in yourself and more fulfilled. Simple things like taking walks, long baths, going to the spa, going for a long swim, flying to an exotic country, dancing, listening to music, whatever it is that you enjoy, give yourself that time to let loose and let go of your work. Whatever it is you need to accomplish and complete will get done, but you don't have to sacrifice your mental or physical health for completing projects all the time. 

Drive and motivation are great and wonderful traits, but really knowing how to take a break and how to relax and wind down, well, how about valuing yourself and those capabilities too? 

Takeaway 

No matter how strong, capable, busy, or important we are, everyone deserves and needs to take a break. This is a skill not many of us have learned or mastered and is equally as valuable as getting the job done and getting the job done well. We actually believe taking a break and learning to wind down and relax is an imperative ingredient in getting any job done to its maximum capacity. We truly believe that knowing how and when to take breaks, pauses and vacations will not only increase your own productivity, but will also be beneficial for your relationships and your own health and happiness. Yup, we said it, happiness. 

What are some ways you’ve learned to take breaks and pauses and how have they helped you? Maybe your techniques, realizations and applications can help someone else who is overworking themselves and can’t remember how and when to take breaks. Let’s value ourselves as much as we value our work, right? You are worth it! 

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How Stress Directly Affects the Body

The Importance of Sleep and Its Effect on Your Mood, Mental Health and Body

Self Care Tips to Feel Your Best Right Now

Relatable Podcast Episodes you’ll Enjoy from: It Didn’t Break Me Podcast

Breaking the Idea of Being A Strong Black Woman with Cafria Hart

Harnessing the Power of Mindset with Michelle Wolfe

The Journey to Be Your Own Kind with Regina Betts

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