WELLNESS WEDNESDAY: Taking A Break In More Ways Than One

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Wednesday, October 20, 2021
College
woman in a hammock on a balcony, surrounded by plants, taking a break

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY: Taking A Break In More Ways Than One

“Always be grinding.”

“Coffee is for closers.”

“You gotta put the work in.”

There's a lot of pressure in our society when it comes to being productive. But it’s important to remember that giving yourself a break is essential to perform at your peak. Humans aren’t machines wired to go-go-go. You need time to decompress, recharge your batteries, and practice the self-care needed to ensure you don’t burn ourselves out.

Here are some important things to keep in mind when it comes to taking a much-needed break:

  • Get enough sleep. No amount of coffee or can-do spirit can replace a good night's sleep. Getting plenty of rest is VITAL to maintaining your health. The National Sleep Foundation recommends adults get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. Those 7 hours help your body rest, recover, and repair.

  • Get stronger by taking a break. Integrating rest days into your exercise regimen helps with strength-training by giving your muscles time to repair themselves and avoid overexertion.

  • Don't skimp on work breaks. Taking a break during the workday can give your mind a break and boost productivity. A small task like fixing yourself a cup of tea or taking a short walk around the building to stretch your legs can help ease stress, relax your body, and free your mind to take imaginative leaps you wouldn’t be able to do if you were hyper-focused on your work. Sometimes stepping away, even for a minute or two, can grant you a fresh perspective.

  • Give your stomach the day off. Occasional intermittent fasting can be very beneficial for your body. When you fast for brief periods of time, your body's digestive organs focus their efforts on producing enzymes that help detoxify your body and repair cells. These fasts can help lower your blood sugar, improve metabolism, lessen inflammation, and can enhance brain function.