We all have too much going on, with work and family obligations piling up. It can be hard to find the time and energy to take care of yourself, let alone enjoy a proper break!
It can be easy to get overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of everyday life. As professionals and solopreneurs, we often find ourselves working nonstop with little time for self-care.
But breaks are essential for our health, productivity, and success. Taking some regular time off isn't just important — it can help us refocus and even thrive in our businesses and professions.
In this blog post, I'll show you how restorative breaks can make all the difference between struggling through your business journey or prospering with ease. I will share my own experience that came from going all out for many years, and finally burning out.
Since I have incorporated restorative breaks into my schedule I'm more productive, my business is more profitable, I'm less stressed and in general healthier. Here are some of the benefits of taking regular breaks:
Increased Productivity
Taking a break from work has been shown to increase productivity levels when you return to your task. This is because taking a break allows your brain to rest and recharge, making it easier to focus on your job when you come back with renewed energy and enthusiasm. Studies have also found that taking breaks throughout the day helps people stay focused on their tasks longer than if they worked through without pausing for breaks.
Boosted Creativity
Creativity needs room to breathe for our most innovative ideas to emerge. When we take breaks from our daily routines, our minds can wander freely, allowing us to come up with creative solutions that we otherwise wouldn’t think of if we were busy working all the time. That’s why many writers and artists take regular breaks throughout their day; it allows them space to think more broadly about their work and unleash their creativity in fresh ways.
Reduced Stress Levels
Burnout is real—and it can be damaging if left unchecked. Taking regular breaks allows you time away from stressful situations or projects so that you can reset mentally before diving back into them with renewed vigor later on. Even brief pauses during long stretches of work can help reduce stress levels and give your mind the refreshment it needs so that you don’t become overwhelmed or overly anxious about what lies ahead in your day.
Over the last 5 years, I've developed a routine that has helped me perform at a very high level, and continue to prosper. First, let's define what "prosperity" means to you - is it more money, more free time, or something else entirely?
For me, it's having the freedom to pursue meaningful work and not feel the stress or pressure that our culture places on us as professionals and entrepreneurs. What does it mean for you to prosper?
Here's how I schedule restorative breaks into my day, week, and month.
Schedule breaks into my day. At least an hour a day to completely unplug, rejuvenate and refocus. Get some exercise, go for a walk, or even take a nap if that's your jam. That one hour is like plugging in your phone when the battery is low. It keeps you functioning and performing at a peak level.
Schedule one day a week to reflect, rejuvenate, and refocus. For me this day is Sunday. I look back at the previous week and the progress I've made toward my main objectives for the month, quarter, and year. I rejuvenate by spending time with friends, family, and my community. I refocus by looking forward to the next week by planning work, family, and recreational time.
Schedule one week in seven as a Sabbatical Week. This is a week on my calendar where I unplug from the day-to-day and focus on the 3 R's (Reflect, Rejuvenate, Refocus). I spend the first two days reflecting on the previous six weeks and looking at the progress I've made. The next 2-3 days are to rejuvenate. I do things that I find enjoyable and recharge my battery. Finally, the last 2 days are to refocus and plan the next 6 weeks so that I continue to make progress toward my monthly, quarterly, and annual objectives.
The keys that I encourage you to consider when beginning to schedule breaks from work into you routine include:
Set some goals for your break - what do you want to achieve during this time off from work
Make a plan for how you will spend your days - include both fun activities and productive ones
Set some boundaries with work - let your boss know that you will not be available during certain hours
Take care of yourself during this break - eat healthy, exercise, and get enough sleep!
Enjoy your break and don't feel guilty about it - remember that you deserve this time for yourself!
Taking a break from work doesn’t mean sitting around all day not doing anything—it simply means carving out pockets of time where you allow yourself moments away from your professional responsibilities so that you can gain clarity and refocus when it comes time to do your job again later on.
Whether this means practicing mindfulness meditation for 20 minutes each morning or going for a walk around lunchtime, every minute counts when it comes to giving yourself the necessary space away from work-related tasks so that you can remain productive, creative, and stress-free.
By implementing regular breaks into your daily and weekly routine, you can ensure that you stay productive while still taking the necessary time to rest, recharge, and reset. This will help you stay focused on achieving your goals and remain in a positive headspace as conquer every day.
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