Why It’s Important to Take a Break

When was the last time that you took a break? 5 minutes in your day. 30 minutes of uninterrupted lunch. Full day without work. 3-7 day vacation surrounded by bliss and good vibes.

Notice taking a break doesn’t simply mean taking a flight to a beach and sipping on a mojito. Taking a break can simply mean being intentional about pausing during your day.

If you are feeling overwhelmed. Burnt out. Stressed. Exhausted. Angry. Short-tempered. Or even sad. It’s probably time for some much needed rest. We are often so used to operating on E (empty) that it becomes the standard. We think taking a break is a luxury and we make excuses that we don’t have the time to pause, slow down, or take a vacation.

How is that going for you? Honestly… how are you feeling? Do you like how you’re showing up?

I’m still working on prioritizing breaks, but I know how terrible I feel when I put them on the back burner. I’m a recovering busy-body and perfectionist. I thrived off of having jam-packed days and low-key I even judged those who did less. I believed in the limiting belief that success takes hard work. I prided myself on how much I was doing. Here’s the key…my identity was connected to what I was doing not who I was.

Running from teaching a fitness class to a dance rehearsal back to a fitness class to drinks with friends to an event made me feel a false sense of happiness. Externally, I was excited but internally I was secretly overwhelmed. I would have monthly break downs from feeling so stressed. Little did I know that I was operating so much from the outside that I lost sight of what truly mattered inside- my faith and values (this can be a whole other blog post). Feeling lost and burnt out? Check in to see how aligned you are to your values, passions, and personal definition of success.

Long story short… I didn’t prioritize breaks. I prioritized action. 

I wrote this blog post, from a 3 night staycation that I booked for myself in my ‘hood NYC. My coach Glo Atanmo always says, “Take a break before you need a break.” I knew it was time to reset, unwind, and relax before I jumped into the summer months, so I booked myself a staycation. So far, it has been so refreshing to not set an alarm, read countless books, and choose if I want to be productive. This is one option, but of course it’s not the only one.

If 3 day or 7 day vacations aren’t available in your calendar yet, let’s look at some other options. But before we even get there, I want to challenge that sentiment. How true is it that you have NO time? Can things be moved around? What can you say no to? How urgent is everything on your calendar? What’s more important than your mental and emotional health? Ok, I’ll let that sink in.

Scatter breaks throughout your day. I like to start my day with a “break.” I pour into myself every morning before I pour into anyone else. I aim to start everyday with prayer, meditation, and reading. I was hesitant for a while to make meditation a daily habit, but it’s been an amazing way to start my day with stillness. Personal development is a core value of mine, so meditation helps me to connect with my consciousness, be present, and meditate on God’s Word.

Take 5 minutes after a meeting to pause before your next one. Take a walk to your favorite spot to breathe and take in the scenery. Put your phone away while you’re eating to truly enjoy your food and be present. Take a 30-45 minute movement class to awaken and challenge your body. Take 20 minutes to engage in a hobby that brings you joy and not stress.

The key is to be intentional and welcome in the pause. Stillness opens up room for growth. What are you trying to avoid by being so busy? Get comfortable with who you are, so you can welcome in breaks into your life.

Try it out for a few days and then a week. Let me know if anything changes for you. More than anything I want you to tap into the abundant life that is calling you; that abundant life takes frequent breaks and rest. 

Cheers to rest; it’s going to look great on you!