We need to normalize rest, it’s so important and we don’t give ourselves enough of it. You cannot be effective all the days if you don’t take care of yourself, it’s impossible. There’s this millennial idea that we need to grind it out, doing 500 things at once, but while hard work is great, burnout is a very real thing. We want to encourage you to recover as hard as you work or work out. Here are a few tips and tools to encourage you to disconnect from the routine and take a break.
Rest does not take you away from your goals, it gives you the energy to keep pursuing them!
5 Quick Ways to Rest:
Short Breaks
Sometimes you just need to take a break from stress long enough to disrupt the body’s stress response cycle, and then get back into action. If you just need a quick break, take a hike or a bike ride, enjoy a movie, or even have a five-minute meditation session.
Spending time outdoors in the fresh air and physical activity can also be great stress relievers. Incorporating these into your short break, such as going for a walk outside around the block, can help you get more bang for your buck from your short break.
Feed Yourself
Take a regular break for lunch. Have a set time and duration for it and ensure you take time to do something totally unconnected from your current task. You should never work through lunch; you need the time to nourish your body, and your mind!
Consume What Brings You Joy
Focus on consuming content that makes you feel good. Remember, your feed on social media is for you, not anyone else. The news you consume is up to you.
Vacation
A vacation is a real break, in the classic sense of the word, and taking a vacation is more important than many people realize. That’s why many vacation days go unused when they should be enjoyed to the fullest.
The key to a restful vacation is to prioritize rest and fun when you go; don’t overbook yourself with tourist activities or bring so much work with you that by the time you return you feel you need a vacation from your vacation.
Say No & Set Boundaries
Saying no is an underrated form of self care. It’s one of the best ways to take care of yourself. Saying “no” doesn’t have to mean “never”, often times it can just mean “not right now”
Making time for yourself will help to boost your levels of concentration and keep you focused on the tasks that you have to complete. It will also help to keep you healthy and so enable you to work effectively at all times.
So take a break!