Don't Feel Guilty About Taking a Break

  Angie Chui

Everyone has responsibilities. Whether you are a student, an employee, a teacher, a boss, an entrepreneur. You have a part to play. At times, these responsibilities become too overwhelming. There seems to be too little time to accomplish tasks that feel suffocating. This is why when opportunities present itself to take a break and relax, many of us feel guilty for resting in favor of putting in more work.

But you shouldn’t feel guilty for taking a break now and then, for finding opportunities for it even. Taking a break is not a sign of laziness, nor does it mean you are shunning your responsibilities. You just need to take a breather because that’s the way humans are made.

Here are some reasons why you should take that break, and enjoy it with no guilt attached.

  Breaks make you more productive.  

Whether you’re taking a short break from your studies or work, it actually helps you jumpstart your creativity, especially if you’ve been performing the same task for a long while. Taking a break to walk around, stretch or have a coffee gives you an opportunity to rest and recharge. You’re doing yourself a huge favor.

  Power naps provide you with health benefits.  

Taking naps spur long-term memory improvement, enhanced cognitive function, and increased creativity. Studies also show that its also good for the heart and reduces the risk of heart diseases and stroke.

  It reduces your stress.  

Stress muddles your decision making and takes its toll on your mental and physical well-being. Taking a break significantly reduces your stress, especially when you’re on the brink of a burnout.

  Breaks boost your mood.  

Studies and surveys have proven that vacations actually improve a person’s happiness. This sense of elation is even sustained even after the break.

  You get to spend time for yourself.  

You look out for other people most of the time that you often forget about yourself. Remember that you are human too. You need a rest now and then, and it is not a crime to want to spend some alone time to do the things you want.

  You can spend time with your loved ones.  

  Most people don’t typically get to spend a lot of time with family and friends because of the demands of school and work. When you take a break, you can spend quality time with the people who matter most to you. That is something you should not feel guilty about.

What are you waiting for? Take that break! It's long overdue.