5 TIMES WHEN YOU KNOW IT’S TIME TO TAKE A BREAK

. 5 TIMES WHEN YOU KNOW IT’S TIME TO TAKE A BREAK .

Life is busy right? As a career driven, social lover, and family bod … I can often find myself running from a to b to c, back to b, back to c, then to a, more often than not. Either that or chained to my desk without a single glimpse of daylight, for far too long. Whether it’s a jam-packed schedule, a crazy workload or simply exhaustion from too much fun, there’s always times when you just know it’s time to take a break. Here are 5 of those moments …

#1 YOU NEED SLEEP. BUT CAN’T.

I have fortunately never suffered with insomnia, and thank god, because the thought of no sleep genuinely sends fear into my body. You see I am the type of person that without enough sleep … I get sick. I mean I’ve actually been sick at the airport having to get up too early for a business flight. Genuinely. Anything pre 7am is not for me & luckily as soon as I hit the pillow I’m off in la la land (it’s actually quite amazing how fast I fall asleep).

But not everyone is that lucky, I know loads of people that as soon as their stress levels peak or they feel pressure at work, they simply can’t sleep for love or money, they simply cannot sleep. At this moment … you know you need to take some time out.

#2 COFFEE IS ALL YOU DRINK

We all go through times in life where coffee feels like the only thing carrying us through, whether it’s weeks of late nights at work (or slightly better, too many nights partying) or just an absolutely exhausting schedule, caffeine becomes our reliant partner, and our savior to keep us going.

But actually this over reliance in caffeine is in itself a pretty clear call for rest, sleep and just a little break. Our body and triple shot espresso’s can only take you so far, at some point we have to admit defeat, and cancel those morning plans to give yourself a little lie in, or even better just take a day off to totally recoup.

#3 EMOTIONS TAKE OVER

When you find yourself getting emotional or overwhelmed by things that otherwise you might take in your stride, laugh at or just brush over …

When emotions start to take over, especially in the work place (whether that’s upset, anger, frustration etc), it’s probably time to take a break. Either a simple tea break or if it’s driven by much longer standing stress, then a day or week off. Sometimes the best decision you can make is to stop, take a moment out, and come back to things when you’re in a better frame of mind.

#4 YOU CAN’T REMEMBER YOUR LAST DAY OFF

It’s always time to take a break when you can’t remember the last time you did so. Whether it’s a quick break in your day at work, or a weeks break in your year.

For me, I’m at my happiest when I can actually take a small lunch break at work to go to the gym or something, and when I can take a longer break (either a long weekend or weeks holiday) every few months. In reality I sit at my desk 8am-8pm most days, work weekends and have gone months without seeing daylight and can barely remember before this last few weeks the last time I actually stopped and took some time out… so taking some well deserved and well needed recoup time is essential. You won’t be at your best until you take a break, relax, unwind, and recover yourself.

#5 WHEN YOUR FAMILY CAN’T REMEMBER YOUR NAME

 It’s easy to get swamped by your working & social life, especially when you’re living in a city or country away from home, it’s too easy (and common) for months to pass by before you manage to take some time out to head back home, see family and friends and go back to your roots.

Often there’s no better break than taking a few days out to go home, get some TLC from your mum and just be a sofa slob like your teenage years. A break doesn’t have to be a day off, a week away or a luxe spa getaway … sometimes a few days back home is all the break you need.

What are your ‘tell tell’ signs that you need to take some time out?