Why You Should Make Time to Take a Break

Forget what the tough are supposed to do when the going gets tough. The truth is, they take a break.

It’s a good idea, too! After all, a synonym for ‘break’ is ‘breather.’

Frankly, it does not matter whether you goof off for a bit or get away from it all for a long time, and whether you take a break from everyone or with someone, and whether you go to Goa or Greece. Breaks do you good.

They work because they break the monotonous chain of mundane, everyday life and all its nerve-snapping demands.

Sometimes, a break is a gift you give yourself. In fact, you owe it yourself. The world will always be around, asking you to commit your time, your energy, and your very spirit to the business of living on. There really is never ‘a good time to take a break.’ Just take it, and go! You will be so glad you did.

Why Breaks Work

Breaking free for a while helps the mind loosen up. This flaccidity does it a world of good. In a calm state of mind, you are able to put things in perspective, and can look at some of the goings-on in your life in an objective, more detached manner.

Your emotions get a chance to ebb down to a below-danger-mark level. From a distance, it is much easier to see right from wrong, and worthwhile from worthless.

The result: your actions are more practical and balanced. At the end of a break, you might find the answers you’ve been looking for, and find it easier to keep, leave, or change your job or relationship.

Research studies have shown that taking a break can actually get your creative juices flowing and make you more productive at work. That is why some companies offer their employees generous breaks and extended, fully paid vacations.

How to Take a Break

Think about what you need a break from:

Your work
Your marriage/relationship
Your daily routine
Something else?

Good, now make your travel plans, or simply drop ‘out-of-office’ or ‘on-a-break’ notes to friends and family so that they can stay off your radar for a few hours/days/weeks/months.

Alternately, if you can’t go away on vacation:

Take a Mini-Vacation Without Leaving Your Desk.

Just sit back comfortably and take a deep breath. Close your eyes, and feel the rhythm of your breath. Soon, you will realize how wonderful it feels to let the air reach deep into your lungs, and how refreshing it is to exhale a lungful of carbon dioxide. With it, you can feel your stress making an exit, too.

Hold on to this thread of ‘prana’ or life-force for just a couple of minutes. When you start feeling relaxed, make some positive affirmations to yourself. For example, you could say, or just think:

‘I am letting go of the negative energy inside me, and inviting positive energy in.’

Actually imagine that positive energy making its way inside your being, suffusing the air around you, and enveloping you in a cocoon of peace.

See how you can feel as good as new without spending anything except a few minutes of your time?

Other simple ways of taking a break:

Go for a walk
Treat yourself to a manicure, pedicure and facial. Aah!
Sit in silence and listen to your thoughts, without being judgmental. Some call it meditation.

“You will soon break the bow if you keep it always stretched.” — Norman Vincent Peale.

“Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” — John Muir.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Olga L.

6:18PM PDT on Oct 12, 2012

Sorry for my mistake I meant to say: did not succeed yet!

October 12
send a green star

6:16PM PDT on Oct 12, 2012

I have tried...did not succeeded yet.

Thomas P.

12:26PM PDT on Oct 6, 2012

I need to learn to do this

October 6
send a green star

Mae T.

11:37PM PDT on Oct 5, 2012

Breaks are good for your mind. STRESS among other things have a way of getting the best of us sometimes. , BREAK BREAK

October 5
send a green star

andrew h.

9:03PM PDT on Oct 5, 2012

thanks Shubhra

you mention meditation -

i agree, lots of benefits:

"All materially-minded men and women should understand that their lives can be freed from endless physical and mental ills simply by adding deep daily meditation to their schedule."

Yogananda:
http://www.anandaclaritymagazine.com/2009/06/yogananda-luxury-money-god/