Monday Inspiration: Take a break

How often do you take a break from work or your daily responsibilities? Do you ever just relax on a park bench and read or take a nap under a tree in your yard?

I have to admit that I don’t do this often enough. I typically feel like I don’t have enough time; I simply have too much to do. I also feel like I’m doing nothing if I take a break.

Of course, that’s the point: to do nothing.

Last week, however, I took the first real vacation I’ve had in  ages. I wasn’t traveling to Europe to see my son dance or visiting my mother. This was a family vacation—lots of family–at the beach to celebrate my husband’s 60th birthday. I had a chance to read, sleep, sit and stare at the ocean, and generally do nothing.

Yet, I struggled with doing nothing. I remained in the beach house watching my granddoggie and staying out of the sun in the middle of the day, and I often felt like I “should” work. I’ve allowed myself to become programmed to do something all the time.

I know taking breaks can improve your productivity, attitude, and energy level. Even taking a 10-minute break every hour during your work day will give you more energy, clarity, and focus, thus increasing your productivity. This, in turn, makes you feel better.

How about you? do you take breaks to do nothing?

If you don’t take breaks, or you don’t take them often enough, I encourage you to start taking them regularly. I’m going to make taking a break a new habit!

Let me know in a comment if you take breaks and how that affects your productivity, attitude, and energy level.