[TIMEOUT] What You Need Is Just A Break... (Say No To "Wear And Tear")
Indeed, one thing that is constant in our world is change, and it seems to be happening really fast in this present age we live in. Technology is advancing everyday— new ways of doing things— new ideas, gadgets, techniques, etc., to explore. And many of us try to sustain the tension that comes with all of these innovations and changes, while we keep racing up to keep up in stress.
One thing no one can eradicate is stress, but everyone can choose to react to it discreetly. Some people feel that taking a break is a subtle way of dodging responsibility or a sign of laxity, but this thinking is absolutely erroneous. I mean if we don’t learn how to take care of ourselves, who will?
Stress can be a real killer if not properly and swiftly dealt with— with a break! A break— it could mean a lot of things, depending on what a person actually need at a particular point in time. For some persons, the best break they can take at some point when they are feeling really exhausted (physically or mentally) might be a quality nap or sleep. Therefore, we must understand our body cues— and the fact that our brain just like some other machines needs to be recharged, refueled and refreshed with a break.
In other words, when we are stressed at work, school, home or by our relationship or any other thing, there’s a need to step back, take a pause, and a deep breath; so that we don’t allow the following to build up to our disfavour:
- Decreased creativity
- Low energy
- Lack of motivation
- Anxiety
- Lack of focus
According to studies, if stress is not managed quickly in the most effective way, it can give birth to poor productivity and even, negativity and frustration in one’s life. Hence, taking a timely and appropriate break off our phones, social media, and all sort of busyness at certain moments in our lives can rekindle strength, and provide the stamina we need to be at our best. This is because our creativity is at peak when are relaxed.
Someone reading this will ask, how can we take a break to manage our stress?
In an attempt to answer this, I must say that there is no “perfect formula” as to how a person can specifically take a meaningful break, however, the following are ways you can effectively take and optimize a break:
Exercising
As it were, we live in a period in the history of humanity where virtually everybody is multi-tasking— doing so many things at a time, and this can really suck big-time. However, exercises such as yoga, a walk down the neighborhood, amongst others, can help you to cool off the “work, work” rhythm associated with your workplace. As a matter of fact, even in your workplace, you can make judicious use of break time in connecting with others, listen to a little song or as the case may be, this may be a fine tactic of a taking a break.
Take Vacation
For a great number of individuals, taking a vacation to spend time with their family at home or in an entirely different environment may just be the best approach to them, in maintaining a good mental health and essentially, countering stress.
Mediation
Every person needs some time to meditate every single day; to philosophize, reflect on things about life in general, spiritual information (God’s word— the bible, for example), etc. Also, reading a chapter of a book, or an article online on a subject you really love and enjoy to read about can be an excellent means of taking a break.
Sleep
The importance of rest to physical and mental wellbeing cannot be overstressed. Thus, sleeping is a grand style of taking a break, particularly when we have over-worked ourselves.
Summarily, these are just some of the fruitful methods to take a break and breathe in some real fresh air amidst the stress of life, however, no one is the best or is the most suitable in all situations. I believe they complement themselves, but basically, the need of a person at the specific time determines the best at that actual time. Be sensitive to your circumstance, life and need: when you observe that stressors are gradually stealing the joy or best of you—your day; say to yourself: