The Brain Break
After what amounts to a few solid of weeks of letting my brain get jacked up on career development, twisted around world news and having it scroll down to do lists and contacts, I decided this afternoon it was Brain Break time.
My morning started out straight from shower to business; meetings and calls scheduled. Then it came to me, it is time to stop! My productive morning was complete and it was time to take off the business suit. For a few hours I resisted the temptation to think wholeheartedly about anything. Instead in the middle of the day I grabbed the blanket, picked up a book and began to read. Not for learning or research, just for pleasure and humor. I resisted directing my day and took no responsibility for what would get done and when.
We all have some control over what are days look like. Plenty of time is allocated, a full 24 hours. It is the strangest thing when one gets to the point where that pesky need to sleep gets in the way and 7 days in a week is just not enough. I’m sure if there had been a way to extend hours or days somebody would have tried to implement it. I’m guilty of such thoughts… “How can I squeeze out more?” I ask myself.
To give my brain a break, was a gift. I know it has a huge responsibility to keep my body going on top of everything else I lump in. Just taking time to go with the moments, sit and not think of anything major, just let it flow was important for me to try. Checking to see if I could still press pause and not feel guilty that I did so.
Pleasantly surprised I did just that, paused. Accepted only what I was willing to and discarded the rest. God knows, everything is filed somewhere. So maybe tomorrow I will check my brain mail but today I gave it a break.
What works for you? How do you give your brain a break?
Posted in Life Reflections
Oh my, this blog article is so relevant for me today! I’ve been working 3 part-time jobs since May 25th and have been spending about 10 hours a day on the computer and I’m really feeling burnt out. Happy to be making extra money, but totally shattered with exhaustion. I must add that I also walk everywhere I go because I don’t have a driver’s license or a car and that means I walk over an hour every day.
I am dreaming about scrolling down a computer screen and numerous other tasks I know I have to do and I haven’t even been able to get restorative sleep. In fact, today I have an appointment with a sleep specialist because I’ve been having sleep issues for years. I am so exhausted today that my whole body aches and after a busy weekend with not enough rest, I called in sick to two of my part-time admin. jobs and I am going to go to the doctor and otherwise spend today giving myself a much needed brain and body break! I think it’s absolutely imperative or I am going to snap.
It’s days like today when I really wish I had a partner who had my back financially so that I didn’t have to work so hard to simply keep the roof over my head. A nice back rub, hug, and a “Honey, I love you and I’m so proud of you for all that you’re achieving” would be super awesome too. But for now, I settle for a snuggle with my dog.
That surely is a good indication of what it means to need a brain break! Dreaming of scrolling down your computer screen and in general not shutting down is the signs you are on overload. Necessity can sometimes drive us to take on more than the body can handle but eventually, the body gives you an ultimatum. “Either cut me some slack or I’m cutting you off.” I’m glad you are trying to obtain some help from a health professional.
Having a partner does make it easier in the ways you have described but there are plenty of women who have that and still feel overwhelmed. Our perceptions, responsibilities, expectations for self and others, decision making and our need to please often is what is kicking us in the butt. Take a moment to see what “you” can control right this minute to bring some peace. A snuggle with your dog is certainly the best medicine.
Thank you so much for sharing, no doubt many of us can identify with some parts if not all of your experiences. Good luck and please take care of yourself, you are too valuable to burn out.
It is excellent that you are monitoring yourself, aware of your feelings and cumulative stress levels…It sounds that you are definetly due for a “Time out” break,
In today’s 24/7 world, the temptation is to try to cram too many hours in the day and never switch off your computer and mobile phone.
These are also the times of the “SAS”(Successful, Attractive and Single women), who like yourself are stepping back and looking at their lives.
After five years of being single and “FREE”, in 1992, I took the decision to marry again. Yes, love was part of it, but as my husband jokingly says…”I married him for his Pension and benefit plan!”
I was working under contract with three jobs at the time.
Now, I am still married and have only two part time jobs.
Take time to smell the roses and remember that you cannot keep taking water from an empty well.
Dabble your feet in the sea or a lakeshore and hang out with friends and share some laughter. It sure works for me.
Good luck…Your life…your choices.
Pat, thanks for lending your experience to this topic.
Well, my body finally told me that enough was enough! I suffered another serious muscle spasm episode on Monday night while I was at the sleep lab (trying to find out why I never feel refreshed by sleep and if I have sleep apnea) and I have been in excruciating pain with my lower back ever since and haven’t been able to go to work all week. I only have relief when I’m lying down and have been taking Percocet & Tylenol 2 every day and have spent most of the days in bed. This is Day #3 and it still isn’t any better. I’m in trouble now.