Give Yourself a Break

“People who cannot find time for recreation are obliged sooner or later to find time for illness.” ~ John Wanamaker

Our subconscious knows the importance of balance. If we’ve gone too long without resting or changing our pace, some part of us will ensure that it happens.

I can only push myself for so long until something gives. If I don’t take a voluntary break to have some fun, find some humor, and deliberately lighten my load, some kind of “breakdown” often does.

The breakdown can take several forms:

• Physical - illness, injury, accident,
  
• Mental - inability to make decisions, process information, or respond effectively,
  
• Emotional - overreacting, irrationality, anxiety, or withdrawal.
  

Strategic breaks don’t have to be long, and they don’t need to derail you. In fact, the more mindful I am about intentionally taking a break, the shorter it generally is.

Conscious timeouts can be as quick as a breath or two, while the funk that results from pushing may last days, weeks, or months.

List 10 purposeful breaks you enjoy. Include varied time commitments, from moments to hours to days.

Call on them whenever you feel yourself banging your head on the wall (or better yet, before the bashing commences). :)