5 Ways to Know It’s Time to Take a Break from Work

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The idea of taking a break can be daunting because you probably are so focused on the work that needs to be completed.

But, taking a break is important for your mental health and your productivity.

Maybe you do take a break every day, taking about 30 minutes to practice self-care but sometimes our minds, bodies, and souls need a longer break to truly feel refreshed, motivated, and like ourselves again. 

A longer break can look like a whole day, a weekend, a week, or even a month of truly disconnecting, slowing down, setting boundaries, and just taking time to revisit your purpose and your why.

So, how do you know it’s time to take a break?

Well, there will be signs that your mind, body, and soul needs a break but you might not even be aware of it. 

Awareness is key in knowing when it is time to slow down and give yourself time to rest.

Signs that it’s time to take a break

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You are having trouble concentrating or focusing

I know this feeling! You have your to-do list in front of you and open your laptop to work but no matter what you do you can’t seem to concentrate or focus on your tasks. 

You may end up mindlessly scrolling through social media, playing games on the computer, shopping online, or even just going down the internet rabbit hole without doing any work. 

This is when you know you need to step away, disconnect, and just focus on something else other than work. 

When you just shut off the technology, silence the noise, and just be here in the now you are able to regain your focus and find the motivation again.

You feel completely drained or tired a.k.a burnt out

Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. It can be brought on by stress, overwork, or an unhealthy lifestyle.

We are all different, so symptoms of burnout can vary from person to person. 

Here are a few signs you may be experiencing burnout:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Feeling emotionally drained
• Decreased motivation to complete tasks
• Constantly feeling fatigued and having no energy
• Decreased interest in activities that were once pleasurable
• Sick all the time

These are signs you should be aware of and realize that you may be pushing yourself too hard and it is time to slow down and take a break.

You feel more annoyed than excited to work on tasks 

Do you normally jump out of bed excited to work on your tasks but lately you have been dreading getting up to work on these exact same tasks now?

If the tasks that once brought you joy seem like a nuisance then it may be time to step back and take a break from them. 

So often we are go-go-go, checking tasks off our to-do lists, pushing ourselves to meet deadlines, and not taking a mindful moment to even celebrate what we have accomplished. 

Instead of pushing through tasks that are in the moment making you feel annoyed, take some time, reflect and look back at all the tasks you have accomplished. 

During this time of rest and reflection ask yourself these questions:

• Are these tasks still aligned with your purpose and vision? Is it time for a shift?
• Is there a way to make these tasks easier for me? Maybe outsourcing them.
• Are these tasks no longer valuable in my business?

Taking time away from your tasks to rest, celebrate, and reflect can actually help you gain more clarity and motivation.

You are feeling anxious and overwhelmed

With our long to-do lists and constant comparison of others, we see online or with competitors, it can bring on a ton of anxiety and overwhelm. 

You can’t enjoy anything and constantly feel “on” because you are checking your phone for email messages and social media notifications.

You spend your days worrying about what you need to get completed which ends up stressing you out. If something brings you stress, anxiety, and overwhelm constantly then it’s a sign you need to slow down and rest. 

Make time to silence the noise, be still, don’t do anything, and just breathe.

When you do this it helps to calm your nervous system, reduces anxiety, and puts you into a state of peace and rest.

Recommended book: Silence – The Power of Quiet in a World Full of Noise
A guide to help you find happiness, peace, and purpose.

Your health is suffering 

Have you noticed that you are having more insomnia, headaches, or even feeling sick all the time? This is a sign you need a much-deserved break to take care of yourself.

Sometimes taking one day of getting enough sleep, filling up on nourishing foods, and just enjoying the things that bring you joy will have you feeling better in no time.

Your health should ALWAYS come first. Work will always be there. You can’t pour from an empty cup, take care of yourself first.

The Importance of Taking a Break

Taking breaks allows the mind, body, and soul to rest and recharge. This will eventually lead to great work output and productivity.

Although taking time off may be difficult for you it is crucial for your mental and physical health. 

The body needs time to recover from the stresses of work. This can be done by resting and getting enough sleep. 

Taking a break may help you get out of your work routine and do something different. This can be beneficial if you are stuck in a rut or experiencing burnout at work. 

Lastly, taking a break allows you to spend quality time with family or friends or even reconnect with yourself without constantly worrying about work-related things like emails or phone calls coming in all the time.

Final Thoughts

I hope these signs help you to become aware that it’s time to take a break. 

Don’t ignore these signs because once you become aware of them and take the time to slow down and take care of your mind, body, and soul you will feel more refreshed, energized, and ready to tackle your goals.