All of a sudden, it is 1:00 in the afternoon. I’ve been going non-stop since 7:00 AM, between emails and projects and those back to back to back to back virtual meetings. I have got to take a break, and I’m one of those people that has to eat. I mean, it is definitely not a pretty picture to see me in the afternoon if I have not eaten.
So I step away from my computer and make a lunch, grab my glass of water, and sit down at the table. And what am I doing? Sitting on my phone, checking personal email, checking notifications for social media, responding to text messages to my family and friends; all I’ve done is moved from one screen to a smaller screen. That is certainly not taking a break, and I know you know exactly what I’m talking about.
You have to take a full-blown break; your eyes and your brain need to have time away from screens and devices.
You can’t think, “Oh I’m just moving from the computer, I’m just moving from work over to this other thing.” It is not a true break; you need time to sit and relax your shoulders, to take some deep breaths in and out, to allow your mind to simply wander. If the weather permits, go outside, soak in a little bit of natural sunlight.
Get your blood moving, walk around, take in some fresh air – but actually allow yourself to 100% fully engage in a break. That is the only way that you will be able to rejuvenate, so that you can come back full force.
You are absolutely fooling yourself if you believe that a “break” while checking your device is actually giving you that renewed energy. It is a joke, that is not happening!
So today, I implore you to put the devices down and step away, even if it’s only for a few minutes, and just allow yourself to breathe, listen, and be. Give yourself those few minutes to fully recover, so that you can jump in and attack the rest of your day. Comment below, I want to hear what your commitment is, that you are in for taking real breaks moving forward!