Life will always catch up with us every now and then. There is so much happening around us all the time and we’re constantly being pulled in several different directions, all at once. Add technology into that equation and we quite literally never turn off! It’s so important to take a break every now and then, but more importantly, we need to recognise when that time is.
Ideally, we should take enough downtime throughout the year so we never ‘over-do’ it. In the real world, that’s so much easier said than done! Here are some major signs that it’s time to slow down.
Are you Constantly Tired?
If you find yourself constantly exhausted it’s typically one of three reasons:
- You’re not sleeping well
- You’re ill (either short-term or long-term)
- You’ve been overdoing it, either at work or in your personal life
It’s almost a vicious cycle because typically if you’ve been overdoing it, this can also stop you from sleeping well. Stress and anxiety play a major role in sleep deprivation. There are only so many days in a week and we will do well to remind ourselves of this. If every single day is packed full of activities or tasks (even if they are fun), when do your body and mind have time to recoup from being constantly on the go?
Are you Always Procrastinating?
Another tell-tale sign that you need some relaxation is constant procrastination from important tasks. This could be at work, with house chores, or any other kind of commitment. Everyone gets distracted and puts things off, but we’re talking about regularly doing this to the point that things are not getting done.
You could have the best approach to time management in the world, but if you’re over-stretched then so is your brain! It’s only natural for our brain to try and switch-off to some or all of the pressing things looming over it.
Are you Lacking in Motivation?
Are you motived to get up in the morning, start your day and get to where you should be? If the answer is no and there are no obvious reasons why it’s probably time for a trip away! We’re all motivated by different things, but in general, it’s rather de-motivating if the jobs keep rolling in and we never see the light at the end of the tunnel. Eventually, we stop searching for the light altogether and simply accept our fate.
Re-charge those batteries and come back to work fresh-faced and ready for a new challenge.
Do you Feel Overwhelmed?
When it’s time to stop, emotionally you are exhausted and overwhelmed. This can manifest in several ways, depending on the severity. You could find yourself crying for no reason or getting upset over small things. You could find yourself lashing out at family and friends over seemingly small disagreements.
Remember, taking a break of any form, is not a luxury but rather a necessity. Try not to let things build-up and become overwhelming before you take time to rest. It’s never a sign of weakness to admit to yourself you need time off. Planning ahead for trips away or a few days off can keep you on track and give you something to look forward to if day-to-day life is typically quite stressful. We all need to remind ourselves sometimes that there are only 24 hours in a day and we are not super-human!