It's Time to Take a Break

I. Introduction

This is your sign to take a break.

The term “burnout” is defined as “physical or mental collapse that is caused by overwork or stress.” Burnout therefore is not just considered that moment where it was the “last straw on the camel’s back” and you decided that you were fed up with your boss. It also includes the recovery time where your body is now having to heal and revive itself from that breaking point.

Self-Care is a counteraction to burnout. This means that each time you engage in Self-Care, you are replenishing yourself and diminishing any rise towards burn-out. Self-Care is also a practice, requiring intention and maintenance. Therefore, if we choose to neglect the needs of our body and mind, to a certain extent, we are also inviting and enabling burnout for the future.

Below I discuss some of the signs that our body and mind may give when it is time for you to take a break.

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II. Physical Burnout

Have you ever noticed that when life seems to be moving really fast, and you are not exercising proper balance, something will happen that causes you to slow down, essentially bringing you back into balance? For example, someone may be constantly on the move for months, resisting the need to take a break, and then they suddenly becomes physically ill, throwing them out of commission for several days. It can also occur in the form of a physical injury. In fact, I currently find myself recovering from a sprained ankle after engaging in a slightly overzealous fitness routine for back-to-back weeks. It is so interesting how the body will literally force itself into rest and recovery.

Many individuals in the legal field also experience large amounts of stress and anxiety which can physically manifest as well. When you work for too long, your eyes may turn red and begin to strain, fighting to stay open. When experiencing anxiety, your heart rate may increase and your breath becomes very shallow, which is why one of the first and most effective steps is to begin taking slow, deep breaths.

Additionally, our bodies can shut down unexpectedly, by fainting or unintentionally falling asleep, unable to support our current state. Not only are both of these types of occurrences potentially dangerous to our bodies, they may also be detrimental to our relationships, career, and reputation.

Think of the signs that your body gives as prompting a “call and response.” Your body will give different signals in an effort to get you to address a specific need. The less responsive you are, the more evident and serious the symptoms will become. You should never be more responsive to your email inbox than to communications from your body!

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III. Mental Burnout

Protecting ourselves from mental burnout, especially in the legal field where our mind and brain power is our money, is so important. This means actually listening to the warning signs and taking appropriate action within a reasonable amount of time.

We have about 3K-80K thoughts a day. When meditating, we are bringing our attention to either one of four things: a sound, a mantra, our breath, or an object (like a thought). There are times when we need to let some of our thoughts go, and there are other times when we need to tune into them more closely. Have you ever had a moment where you realized something that you had known all along, but you may have been in denial or unwilling to hear the truth? For example, your mind is telling you that you are overwhelmed at work and that you need a break, but you continue to push forward without taking one, eventually causing you to have a breakdown. You knew that it would lead to this. In fact, your own mind told you so.

This is why it is so important to trust your intuition! You know yourself better than anyone else, so you know best when your body or mind needs a break. Take the initiative to have a conversation with yourself and ask, “Am I okay?” “Is there anything that I need in this moment?” “Anything that I need to change?” Reflect on these questions and then take a few moments in stillness and silence to just allow whatever thoughts to freely come to your mind. And do so without judging your answers. For you to know what to fix, you must understand what is truly wrong.

IV. My Favorite Ways to Take a Break

Here are 5 of my favorite ways to take a much-needed break:

1. Take a walk. Stepping away from your desk to get sunlight or fresh air can work wonders for your mental health, while also burning calories!

2. Deep Breaths with Essential Oil. Put some essential oil on your wrist and rub both of your wrists together. Then, take a slow, deep inhale through your nose, breathing in the scent, and exhale out through your nose. Repeat this 3 times!

3. Schedule a Lunch Date. The only thing better than leaving your desk to go outside, is to leave your desk to go outside and get food! It is even better when you meet up with a friend or colleague! It is always nice to share your present experience with someone else.

4. Go for a Drive. I love taking a 45-minute to one-hour stress-free drive. This means that I am not in a rush to go anywhere, and I am not in a rush to get back. The windows are down and the music is blasting. Although, sometimes, driving in silence, or to the sounds of the external world, can be very soothing and refreshing as well.

5. Yoga and Stretching. One thing that I love about Yoga is that it can be done just about anywhere. There is even “Chair Yoga” which is meant for people who are sitting in a chair or at a desk! Taking a few moments to stretch can release tension in both your body and mind. Try stretching or doing Yoga the next time that you watch tv and see how fast time goes by!

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V. Conclusion

Resting allows your body and mind time to recharge. If you are operating on low energy, everything that you produce will reflect this current state of wellbeing. Pay attention and take action in response to those signs that tell you when it is time to take a break!

Interested in Wellness Coaching? Book a complimentary Discovery Call today!

Sources:

Burnout Defintiion: Oxfo Languages https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=558159101&rlz=1C1ONGR_enUS1060US1060&q=burnout&si=ACFMAn9VODCs-uG4dZ4pWLt0kJLWR3fd9PCK91c0igqwyWp4NIaECgvDyPhCHa1ReoL3-wKl0ry58El8PVXGnzFpib7aNuK39A%3D%3D&expnd=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjdttGd3-aAAxW4HUQIHclUB7gQ2v4IegQIIBAc&biw=1920&bih=955&dpr=1