Taking a break when you have enough is something that’s looked down upon in the grind and hustle and the work obsessed culture. In fact, refusing to take a break is seen as a hallmark of professionalism and productivity. As women, moms and entrepreneurs, we often feel guilty when feeling tired and desiring a break. Consequently, we dismiss our needs because we don’t want to be seen as weak, unprofessional or not committed enough with out work and responsibilities. This attitude and perception of ours is what hurts our mental and physical health most. That’s why today’s WorthWorkn4Wednesday series will talk about why it is extremely important to allow ourselves to take breaks regularly.
You may think that taking a break between work and chores could waste your time and energy. But you are not only mistaken but not allowing yourself to take a break when you need it might be bringing your productivity down instead of increasing it.
Why it’s Important to take Regular Breaks
Working for long periods of time without breaks can lead to physical strain, eye strain, and other health issues. Working relentlessly also impacts our mental health, as it increases work pressure and your stress levels. That’s why working longer hours without regular breaks may work lead to short term productivity gains, but it eventually ends up in burnout. Overall, taking breaks between work is essential for maintaining productivity, creativity, and overall well-being.
The Benefits of Taking Regular Breaks
Stepping away from your work and engaging in a different activity can stimulate your brain and increase creativity. This can lead to new ideas and insights when you return to your work. Taking breaks can help reduce stress levels by giving you a chance to step away from work and engage in activities that promote relaxation and stress relief. Taking breaks can help reduce stress levels by giving you a chance to step away from work and engage in activities that promote relaxation and stress relief. Taking breaks can help reduce stress levels by giving you a chance to step away from work and engage in activities that promote relaxation and stress relief. Taking breaks can help you maintain a healthy work-life balance by giving you time to engage in non-work activities and spend time with family and friends.
Tips to Take Breaks Effectively
Taking regular breaks can actually increase productivity and improve overall well-being. Here are some tips on how to time your breaks effectively:
The Pomodoro Technique
Work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. After four Pomodoros, take a longer break of around 20-30 minutes. This technique can help you stay focused during work periods and give you a chance to recharge during break times.
Plan Breaks
Decide when you will take breaks in advance, and stick to that schedule. This can help you avoid getting distracted or overworking yourself to a state of exhaustion.
Take Breaks When Needed
If you start to feel tired or unfocused, take a break, whether scheduled or not. Trying to push yourself forcefully for long would only negatively impact your performance. Sit down, lie down, go outside and walk for a while. You can also check out these 3 instant mood and energy boosters recommended by Marie Forleo. Even just a short break can help you reset and come back to your work with renewed energy.
Avoid Long Breaks
Long breaks or shorter ones, the purpose is to rest! When you are very tired, only a longer break would help. While longer breaks can be helpful, taking too much time away from work can make it harder to get back into a productive mindset.
Use Breaks Wisely
The purpose of a break is to rest and re-set. Use your break time to do something that will help you recharge and refocus, like taking a walk, meditating, or chatting with a friend, even spending a little time with your kids or a pet can boost your emotional energy! Most importantly, avoid using your well-earned break to do something mentally or physically taxing. For instance, if you are trying to rest your eyes, avoid looking at screens. Instead, go on a walk or lie down on your couch!
Remember that everyone’s productivity patterns are different, so it’s important to experiment and find what works best for you.
Conclusion
It’s natural to want to get the most out of your time and efforts by being productive. However, the obsession to be productive all the time, without allowing ourselves to take breaks in between can have the opposite effect on our productivity. Taking a break doesn’t mean slaking off or being lazy. Properly timed breaks give our body and mind the energy re-set and boost they need to enable us to function at our optimal best. Therefore, make sure that you allow yourself to take a break as and one required.
