Take a Break

As the holiday weekend approaches, we’re all rushing through our Monday mornings, trying our best to get through projects, answer emails, send out packages, do laundry, clean the house, bake cookies, prep for the Thanksgiving meal, get the kids ready, pack suitcases, and whatever else is on your list. You probably want to backhand me right now for even suggesting there could be time to take a break. I always have to remind myself of the importance of taking a breather when I’m at my wit’s end, bug-eyed and crazed.

It’s when you don’t think you can take a break,

         that you need a break the most. 

 

“Yo, crazypants, you need a break. Go chill for a minute.”

“I CAN’T TAKE A BREAK, CAN’T YOU SEE HOW MUCH THERE IS TO DO?!?!?! I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START!!!! AAAAAAHHHH” ::throws papers and flops into chair::

Rather than escalating your stress and frantically try to plow through it (likely making mistakes or forgetting details), take a 10 minute vacation. Go sit in the sun. Make a cup of tea. Take a shower, go get the mail, take the dog around the block, whatever. My favorite? A couple sun salutations and a 60-second plank, followed by a good downward dog and then luxuriously linger in a child’s pose until you find your slow breath. (That yoga series can be accomplished while waiting for coffee to brew, by the way. Talk about multi-tasking!) Get that blood flowing and give your mind a rest. Our brains need idle time to process what you’re throwing at it, and to calm back down to a place of creativity and ingenuity. After a break, we’re better problem solvers, better task masters, better creators.

So, I know you’re busy today, whether it’s wrapping up projects for your clients, or getting your home ready for company (in my case, both). But promise me you’ll take a few minutes today to breathe.

Or just go run off to the ocean. That’s what I did on Friday. After answering emails, of course ;)

…

If you can’t get away from your desk, get lost for a few moments in these images with me. Relax your shoulders. Rest your hands on your desk. Imagine you’re here. Feel the cool sand on your feet, the warm sun on your skin. Smell the salty air, listen to the sea birds calling and waves crashing. Be still. Breathe. Close your eyes. Smile.

Next time, come along with me :)

All images taken with my iPhone. Who has time for lugging around a real camera when there are rocks to be climbed?! :) Have a great week, and even better holiday weekend. Cheers! :) Kristen

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k.holly  |  bay area lifestyle blogger and photographer