How Taking a Break Enhances Your Recovery
by Joshua Butcher
Whether it’s hitting the gym, socializing with friends, or tackling that 9-to-5, taking a break from the pressures of everyday life is crucial to your mental health and well-being.
We all need mini breaks every once in a while and these mental health days make us better, stronger, and more focused. Countless researchers have shared the fact that regular breaks make us more productive, both at work and in our everyday lives.
Here are a few reasons why taking a break enhances your recovery and some ideas on how to take a break from your everyday grind (without having to jet off on an island vacation!).
Breaks Help You Reset
Our lives are jam-packed with things to do all day, every day. From work to taking care of families to working on ourselves, there’s no rest for the weary!
But taking regular breaks can help. Taking a step back is great for your mind, body, and emotional health because it gives you time to hit the pause button, if only for a short while.
Breaks Give Your Body and Mind a Chance to Recover
There is no way our minds and bodies could function 24/7. Yet, we put so much pressure on them to do nearly that.
No matter what you are going through, whether it’s trying to live a healthier life, give up drugs or alcohol, or just be better you, give yourself some credit and a chance to recover. Rather than being hard on your shortcomings, focus on your growth and give yourself time to recover from the grind.
Breaks Are Sometimes Necessary
Yes, breaks are a great luxury, but sometimes they are also necessary. You may have a family member that needs care, you may be in between jobs, or you may have medical or mental issues to address. No matter what the case may be, don’t be afraid to take that much-needed break.
Talk with your boss at work about taking a leave of absence, loop your family members in, and get the help you need. It will only do you harm to keep putting off these breaks because they are what’s going to eventually enhance your recovery.
How to Find Breaks Throughout the Day
When we say “take a break,” we don’t mean book a 2-week vacation to a tropical destination or hop on a plane to explore the world (even though both of these options would be an amazing break!).
Taking a break to address your mental health is actually easier and more readily available than most people think and by adapting some tips and refocusing your thinking, you can easily escape stressors, if only for a few minutes a day.
Get Some ‘You’ Time
By taking some ‘me time’ regularly, you will be a better parent, coworker, and friend. Even if it’s just 15 minutes in the morning, enjoy some screen-free, relaxing “you” time. Taking a steamy bubble bath or giving yourself a massage are great options.
Use Your Commute to Refocus
It’s not hard to spend hours in your car a day, so what if you used that time to give yourself a mental break? Instead of listening to the radio, refocus with a relaxing or informative podcast, an audiobook, or another learning avenue.
You could even learn a foreign language during your drive to and from work!
These are just a few of the ways you can take breaks throughout your day and focus on your well being. Regular breaks help you refocus and get better in the long-term.
Joshua is an ex-addict and founder of the Ohio Addiction Recovery Center. Since his recovery began, he has enjoyed using his talent for words to help spread treatment resources, addiction awareness, and general health knowledge.
The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect all or some of our beliefs and policy. Any links on this page do not necessarily mean they have been endorsed by Defying Mental Illness.
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