I must admit, this is a stuck point for me. I do a lot and I know I can make up some room for a little more free time. My mind is always going. It can be 3 in the morning and I’m laying there thinking of new ideas. In fact, I thought of doing this blog post while getting dressed and ready for work. True story. But it is not good for your health. The stress will always build up and anxiety can befall anyone. That’s why I’m writing this. Because mentally, I feel like we are not taking enough breaks as we should. I don’t want to fall into the trap of anything feeling like a daunting task. Especially doing the things I love.
Let’s just get to the point. We need mental breaks. Breaks from thinking. And I mean that in a sense of joy. Something to take our minds off of working. On a daily basis. Sure, the weekend is great and all but what about during the week? What about the 4 hours you slept and now have to wake up and get to work in the morning? You work, you study, you research, and you do countless projects. Yeah, they are cool and you get paid and make a name for yourself but what about you and your health? 4 hours of sleep won’t get it.
Impact of Not Taking Mental Breaks
Our brains, just like any other organ in our body, require breaks to function properly. In computer terms, accurately, mental fatigue can only articulate small commands to respond to simple queries. We are held to a higher standard in our performance then allow a clearer mindset, this sets us into a frustrated state where our minds think it is functioning at its best, but reality proves otherwise.
When we don't take breaks, it is easy to neglect our basic needs that we were always taught to prioritize. Whether it is getting enough rest, taking a break after a 4-hour stretch, or even just taking a walk, not taking on more responsibilities than we can handle, or taking your lunch instead of working through it, we begin to find justifications to justify why these basic needs are less important for us. However, the fact is that the more prevalent this cyclic nature of stress and extreme productivity becomes, the faster we are hitting the high burnout threshold.
Why We Need Regular Mental Breaks in Everyday Life
While people often feel guilty about it, the truth is that most of us forget to take a mental break when we need it. Whether you're taking lunch right at 12:00 p.m., going for a 20-minute walk mid-morning or sitting in the break room with your afternoon tea, let your colleagues know that you are off-limits during these 'out of office' times. Anything that comes up can wait and you'll be better off if it does. It is okay to be a little bit selfish. At home, with family or friends, choose a time when you know you can truly relax and tell your loved ones that you won't be available. It is not personal. It is necessary.
I wish that someone had told me earlier in my career that I couldn't do what I do without taking time for myself. For many of us, we just don't believe that we can walk away when things are piling up because the work won't go away. The truth is, though, that constantly pushing ourselves to the brink of exhaustion only leads to burnout and diminished performance. We need to break free from this cycle and embrace the notion that taking breaks is not a sign of weakness but a necessary component of success. It is crucial to prioritize self care because when we neglect it, our productivity and overall well-being suffer.
The list of tasks and responsibilities will still be there, even if we step away for a while. However, when we return, we often find that the list looks different. We gain a fresh perspective, find new solutions, and even discover that some tasks were not as urgent or important as we initially believed.
Looking back through time, people have always known that finding balance is key. Nowadays, with everything moving so quickly, it is more crucial than ever. Our minds and bodies need regular breaks to reset and recharge. Taking time to relax is not a luxury anymore. It is a must to prevent our brains from getting overloaded.
When our minds have been going at full speed for too long, it can be tough to slow down. It is like our brains are stuck in fast-forward mode, and switching gears is a challenge. But if we understand the importance of mental breaks and make them a regular part of our routine, we can help ease this transition. Giving ourselves moments to rest can prevent our mental circuits from getting fried.
By taking breaks and building a lifestyle that includes relaxation, we can protect our mental and emotional health in the midst of a society that never stops demanding.