“It’s time for the good times, forget about the bad times,” sang Madonna. “One day to come together to release the pressure, we need a holiday.” Too darned right we do, Madge!
After all, in today’s non-stop, always ‘on’ world, it’s never been easier to get consumed by work, relentlessly motoring on without stopping for breath. But, taking your lunch break or actual time off, especially a summer holiday, is ridiculously beneficial for your mental and physical health.
And here are just a few reminders why, should you need any convincing…
How Breaking Prevents Breakage
Working through breaks and forfeiting your time off? The many benefits of taking a break are very good reasons why you shouldn’t. For example:
- Preventing Burnout – One of the biggest advantages of taking a step back is ensuring burnout doesn’t rear its ugly head. This is because prolonged stress and overwork are prime causes of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. Thankfully, taking a break is your secret weapon to beat burnout, help you recharge your batteries, and spring back feeling even more fired up.
- Avoids a Lack of Dimension – What about your hobbies, relationships, and personal goals? When you’re so deeply immersed in work, it’s easy to forget about and neglect the other equally important parts of your life. But taking a break ensures you’ve got headspace to focus elsewhere, keeping you well-rounded, not ‘all work and no play’.
- Plain and Simple Enjoyment – Last but by no means least, it’s fun to take a break. Whether you’re going on a foreign adventure or just kicking back at home, time away from the daily grind is liberating, empowering and enriching. So, pop away the Vitamin D3 till winter, get some sun on your skin, and maybe even some sand between your toes.
A final word – Remember it’s imperative to take care of yourself first, so we you show up as your best self for others.
At Stress Matters, our pioneering Insights diagnostic can unearth surprising revelations about your workforce’s attitude to breaks, time off, and how company culture might be impacting their wellbeing. Get in touch to find out more about how it works.
