Too Busy To Take A Break?
The following article by Jennifer Summers Makes us think about how we spend our time and how we really need to re-think our priorities.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO TAKE ‘TIME OUT’
by Jennifer Summers
How many times have you continued working, knowing that you
are not giving 100% to the task at hand?
How many times have you read or written the same sentence
over and over again, as your mind keeps wandering and
thinking about other things?
How often have you wanted to take a break from the family
or kids but feared the consequences of doing so?
WHY DO WE NOT ALLOW OURSELVES THE TIME TO TAKE ‘TIME OUT’?
There are many genuine reasons for needing to complete jobs
and tasks, however we may also on occasion have ‘hidden
agendas’ as to why we cannot stop for a break. Some of
these reasons might be:
* EGO – Some people simply enjoy boasting about, ‘how late
they had to work in order to complete a project’ or ‘how
much effort they invested in order to complete the job so
quickly’ – this type of person is often looking to impress
others with their efforts, thereby increasing their ego in
the process.
* TIME – “I can’t stop, I just have to get this finished”.
Does this sound familiar? “I can’t stop because the job has
to be finished, WHY? So I can move straight on to the next
thing, and the next, and the next etc…” this person will
find that there is always something that has to be done,
which will constantly prevent him/her from taking a break.
* THE NEED TO BE NEEDED – A mother managing the household,
kids and other chores may feel as if her household will
collapse if she were to put her feet up or take a weekend
off! By not taking a break she can keep convincing herself
that her role is crucial and the family would collapse
without her input. This may indeed be true, but is still
not a good enough reason to prevent her having a rest!
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF TAKING A BREAK?
Allowing your mind and/or body to rest can help re-focus
your attention, sharpen your wits and increase motivation.
In addition, taking time out helps to relieve stress, can
aid the recovery of tired muscles and also promotes the
discovery that there is more to life than just work.
I once asked an athlete what the most important element of
his training routine was and he answered, ‘rest’. He told
me that his muscles needed ‘time’ to repair after an
intensive workout session, so he was very strict in
allowing himself enough recuperation time between training
sessions. Giving himself this time off allowed him to go on
and become one of the most popular men in his sport.
I also know from my own work and writing, that sometimes my
mind feels blank but after some time out, I can return to
the subject matter with fresh eyes and a clear mind and it
all seems much easier.
HOW LONG SHOULD A BREAK BE AND WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
A break can be anything from a 10-minute meditation
session to a year’s trip around the world, and anything
in-between. I define a break as, ‘something that takes
your mind off a preoccupation’. So depending on the time
you wish to avail towards relaxing you may enjoy reading,
watching a movie, cooking, playing with the kids, riding a
motorbike or driving, exercising or doing sports,
travelling or simply sleeping!
REMEMBER, WHATEVER IT IS THAT YOU ENJOY DOING:
1. Allow yourself (time off) to do it.
2. Do not feel guilty (about taking time off).
3. Enjoy the benefits (time off) will give you.
4. Understand that no matter how important you are (or
feel you are) life will continue (in the office, at
home, on the playing field) whilst you enjoy a break.
So, if you’re feeling tired, unmotivated or just in need of
a rest, don’t be a martyr or look negatively at this. You
may actually find that in reality, allowing yourself a break
will actually help you ultimately become more efficient and
effective in every part of your life.
Thank you for allowing yourself a five-minute break to read
this.
Happy relaxing,
Jennifer Summers
http://www.howtofindhappiness.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The author Jennifer Summers has developed a TOOLKIT called
“How To Find Happiness”. Get Stress Busting Exercises &
Techniques, excellent guides to Time and Anger Management
plus lots more. A must for you to manage your stress and
gain a new perspective on life.
A “Must Have” toolkit that can simply transform your life!
Click here now ===> http://www.howtofindhappiness.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
© How To Corporation. All rights reserved.
If we take time out to spend by ourselves or relaxing with our family and friends how much better would our lives be? Are we living or merely existing? How much would we reduce the stressors in our lives if we just put some time aside for ourselves? This book is certainly worth a read and may turn out to be our salvation.
Check it out here!