A break in the action.
An official time out.
Halftime.
Intermission.
No matter the momentum, no matter the intensity, it’s mandatory that teams leave the game for a few minutes. It’s for their recovery, for their safety, and for their sanity.
So. Where’s the break in your game?
No matter what you do…
• Parent
• Nurse
• Teacher
• Truck Driver
• First Responder
• Working in an office, facility, on a farm
…YOU are a major player in the game of life.
So. Again: where’s the break in your game?
“Never?"
"Who has time for a break?!”
These are common responses in part sarcasm and almost always uttered in an exhausted, just-trying-to-catch-my-breath fashion.
Seriously, take a break. It doesn't have to be a long break. Make it simple. Stretch.
Do it for your own good.
According to a recent article in Fortune Magazine, most Americans do not take advantage of their allotted (and earned) vacation time.
“…workers, on average, fail to use nearly five vacation days a year, the U.S. Travel Association found.”
As Americans we learn, “a little hard work never hurt anyone.” Notice the perspective in that quote. The use of “a little.” That means moderation. For some reason, the word “moderation” is only familiar to American culture by way of beer commercials and disclaimers. (The same beer commercials that tell us to go to extremes in celebration and partying.)
It stems from our heritage. For many Americans, the Protestant work ethic has been built into our backbones while hitting that nerve of guilt when we feel like we don't do enough. We all know that guilt. That resentment we fear from others if we take a break, or vacation. The fear that if we don’t keep up, we will fall - also known as the Rat Race.
Spoiler alert: the Rat Race is not always worth winning. However, you can go an alternate route at different speeds, and still get to the finish line.
What is the right path? We need to be in tune with our bodies. Like professional athletes, we need to take a break. When we don't relax or recharge, our bodies suffer. There are approximately 31 million Americans suffering from low back pain - the second most common reason for visits to the doctor in the United States. This is a key example of what stress and long hours on the job can contribute to, and a pretty big reason to take a break.
Check out this direct advice from the Center for Disease Control:
Taking five-minute breaks--whether you sit at a desk, do heavy construction work, or anything in between--can have several benefits. Take several short breaks throughout the day (about every hour). Make sure they include some movement.
• Take a short walk away from your workstation
• Stand up and stretch or walk in place at your desk without looking at your computer monitor
• Get out of your chair whenever you take phone calls at your desk
• Change positions at your workstation
• Have a drink of water or a light snack
Advantage Behavior Health emphasizes the importance of breaks to reduce stress and anxiety; plus boost mental and physical health.
Start slow, perhaps five minutes daily.
Stretching is a great way to spend five minutes of downtime. At Miracle Stretch, we understand the precious value of health and happiness. The Piri-Stretcher® is designed to allow your muscles and your mind to take a break. As your back pain heals, your body becomes stronger. As your pain fades, your thoughts become happier. And as a result, your life becomes much more positive.
So just like the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, or San Francisco Giants....you come back from that seventh inning stretch rejuvenated and recharged...and amazing things happen! You knock one over the fence...round third...slide into home...and whether you win the game or not - you feel your best.
So. Who has time for a break? You do. You’ve earned it.
