Well, it’s been a month and many of you, when I come to see you, have said to me; “Where have you been, things have slowed down on the website?” I realize that and I want to apologize for that. Things have been a little rough over here; at the beginning of this month I lost a mentor and I have been working through that. I have also changed some of my point of view towards work and even at home, to try to be what I need to be and pitch in without losing myself. Sometimes it works aaaaand sometimes … not so much! The point is I am doing everything I can to keep all plates spinning and sometimes I lose one or two. I know I have written about this before, but just to keep things rolling, lets look at this week’s subject:
Taking breaks when working is important for several reasons:
- Rest and rejuvenation: Working for long periods without taking a break can cause mental and physical fatigue which can negatively impact your productivity, creativity, focus and YOUR HEALTH. Taking breaks allows your mind and body to rest and recharge helping you to stay energized and productive. “Unplug. Take a breath.”
- Reduced stress: Taking breaks can help reduce stress levels. Lowering stress levels can also help improve your overall well-being and mental health. I am going to date myself here – when I was a kid, we had chalkboards in school and if you didn’t clean the chalk off of them properly, it was a smeary mess, hard to see and hard to read. But, when you had a freshly WASHED chalkboard it was a thing of beauty! You could write down and explain anything on that massive board … the sky was the limit!
- Enhanced creativity (This is my favorite one!): Taking breaks can help enhance your creativity and problem-solving skills by giving your brain the chance to process information and make new connections. When you take a break from a task and come back to it later, you may have new insight and perspective that you wouldn’t have had otherwise. I call that “a fresh set of eyes.” It’s why I have my wife, Shannon, proof my work. It’s why I like going to Disney as much as I do. It’s why I take a sketch book with me WHEREVER I go. Step outside, enjoy the fresh air, you might just remember WHY you’re doing what you’re doing and be rejuvenated!
- Improved health: Prolonged sitting and staring at a screen can lead to physical ailments such as eye strain, neck and back pain, and poor posture. Taking breaks and engaging in physical activity can help reduce the risk of these issues and improve your overall physical health. A bit of “clean the attic” if you will.
Looking at a couple of these you may say those are just for immediate issues; a “coffee break” if you will. I disagree. The only thing different is TIME SPENT. Little projects need little breaks, big ones need longer breaks. It’s ok to take a break, there is no shame in resting. You don’t need to be EVERYTHING to EVERYONE. You can’t. Sometimes in this world people would have you believe that you need to expend every last bit of energy to prove that you are valuable and that, my friends, is a CROCK!! It’s not about working hard all the time, it’s about working SMART as well. You know who made up that rule that you must give ALL to be valued? The same ones that make you think you’re not enough for anything other than what you are. Another lie.
We all need to reevaluate our lives, some of us more than others and sometimes more OFTEN than others. It’s ok, you are worth it because YOU ARE VALUABLE, maybe not to everyone you encounter, but that’s why you need to remember it because others won’t.
Overall, taking breaks is crucial for maintaining optimal productivity, creativity and overall well-being while working. It allows you to recharge your mind and body and return to your work with renewed focus and energy.
We can all use that!
GO WIN YOUR DAY!!!!!
