Self-Help
You Need a Break! (You Really Do) So Plan For It!
Plan the how, not the when, of your breaks.
Posted November 11, 2010
Life is busy and there is lots to be done. But, where's the time for you? When can you kick back and relax? You haven't been to a movie in ages. You can't remember the last time you read fiction, or the back of a cereal box for that matter. What about just laying back and listening to the radio?
Life is pretty fast and busy, and it only seems to be getting faster and busier. That's too bad, because there is a lot to be said for slowing down. Stopping to smell the roses. Taking a moment to reflect.
We need to tell ourselves that it's okay to relax. In fact, it's more than okay.
It's necessary.
Humans have only so much physical energy. This is also true for mental 'energy.' An absolute ton of research tells us that we only have so much will-power. When we're low on will-power, we're more likely to do things that go against our better judgement, like overreacting emotionally, eating too much, or not persisting at tasks that require persistence.
Low will-power moments are going to happen. So, why not take a break when you're not going to be all that productive anyway?
But, and this is the important part, have a plan. Let me be clear. I don't mean that you should schedule your break times. That doesn't quite feel right, does it? But you should have some sort of plan for your break times, whenever they occur. Having a plan should make your break a better one. Have a novel handy, or a crossword puzzle, or plan a walking route for your low-energy times. Maybe there's a Doctor Who podcast that you want to catch up on? Break time doesn't have to be guilt-ridden mindless-surfing-of-the-internet-time. It can be leisure time in the best sense of the word. It can be a time for recharging your batteries and a time that is enjoyable.
So, enjoy!