The Importance of Taking Time Off

In today’s society, being busy is both an addiction and a medal of honor. Everyone brags of being the king of busyness. We have become prone to creating hectic lifestyles to avoid any deep thought or reflection. Some of us are terrified of what would happen if we slow down.

Being busy can make us feel important and valued. It helps us feel like we are enough.

Being busy is a source of validation. For most people being busy equates to success.

Real talk, it’s a myth bro.

The marketing tag-lines and slogans such as “just do it” (kudos to Nike for that one!) have made us undermine the power of doing nothing. The 24/7 culture has hold some of us hostage – they’re stressed, exhausted and miserable. 

Time off from work doesn’t have to mean a vacation in Bali (although, wouldn’t that be nice?). It could mean a day here and there, an afternoon or even a morning. It’s important to make sure that you give yourself breaks so you don’t burn out. Working all the time doesn’t make you productive but a zombie behind a computer screen. 

The data tell us the largest issue with busyness is the impact it has on our health. Stress caused by being so busy can significantly impact our physical and mental health. Stress puts our brain into overdrive, which affects our immune system and cardiovascular system. If you’re already hooked in the “busyness” how about you start with just 10 minutes breaks in between meetings?

The good news is there are things we can do to slow down and break our addiction to being busy.  Once we break this addiction, our health improves, and we start to reclaim our lives and careers.

Here are few things you can do to ditch this habit:

• Set reminders for “me” time,
• Take mini naps during the day
• Stop feeling guilty for play time
• Reward yourself with day or two to recharge

Bro, what’s your routine to stay present and sane in the busy environment?