How to Take a Break
Are you feeling burnt out? Have you considered… taking a break? It’s harder than it sounds! Life is busy busy busy, and even the things we love about our lives take time and energy to cultivate. But you can’t beat burnout without making space for self-care! So take this as your sacred sign from the universe to cancel your plans, shut out (at least some of) the world, and get some well-deserved rest.
Clear Your Schedule
Don’t quit your day job. Do take a sick day! If you’re feeling the kind of tired a cup of coffee can’t fix, it might be time for a stay-at-home day-cation. But don’t put down your phone just yet. You’ll need it to cancel your plans! Love and light to your loved ones, but you’ve gotta put the “self” in self-care. It’s easier to reschedule a catch-up than it is to hold yourself accountable to rescheduling your rest. No work. No errands. No extroversion. Just sweet, sweet alone time.
Turn Off Your Phone
*ding* *ding* *ding* What’s that? You guessed it — the contemporary enemy of rest — the cell phone notification. Now that you’ve told everyone where they can reach you (read: nowhere) it’s time to turn off your phone. Press down on that power button. If you MUST keep it on, turn on Do Not Disturb. It’s about more than just rest. Phones mess with your neck muscles, finger muscles, your eyes, your ability to focus, your mental health, etc. The list goes on and on. If you need more convincing, we’ve got a whole list of digital detox strategies for you to peruse.
Turn Off the Lights
Now that you’re unplugged and off the grid, what does rest actually look like for you? It’s different for every person. A foolproof strategy, if you’re feeling tired or anxious, is to turn off the lights, get comfortable, and settle in for a meditation session or a hearty nap. Do some breathing exercises. Turn on some white noise. Listen to a podcast or audiobook. (Phones permitted for this activity and this activity alone!) Good (daytime) night!
Go For a Walk
Think about how often you go outside for the sole purpose of going outside. Not for commuting, meeting friends, going out to eat, or even for exercising. Just a pure, plain ole walk with no tech and no direction. In How to Do Nothing, Jenny Odell writes about how rare it is, no matter the density of our communities, that we tune into the nature around us. Solo, quiet walks can bolster creativity and mindfulness. They attune you to your surroundings. Take in the flora, the buildings, and even the colors you take for granted when you’re rushing one place to the next. Hop on a trail or turn down an unfamiliar street. You never know what you’ll see!
Do Something That Will Make You Smile!
Read a book. Take yourself out to eat. Journal. Go for a jog. Knit. Watch a movie. (See a movie in a theater alone!) Learn to cartwheel. Free write. Think about the activities or hobbies that you love but rarely make time for and take advantage of your open schedule. Now get out there and get that dopamine!