When I was a kid my mom always tried to get me to take naps. Of course naps are essential and prevent kids from having a total meltdown.
Now that I’m grown up I feel like naps are really essential for parents and helping prevent them from a total break down.
Being a single adult with no kids (I have 2 dogs who act like kids though), I have come to enjoy naps. They help me hit the refresh button. They allow me to break up my day. I’m not really afraid of missing out on anything when it comes to taking a nap. Rather, I’m more concerned with when’s the right time to take a nap?
So why am I talking about naps? It leads me into self-care and disconnecting.
For those of you who know me, you know I have a hard time not “working.” My work is my passion so I don’t consider it work in the sense one would going to a 9 to 5 they are not invested in. That being said, it’s hard to separate yourself from your work. You need to try, though, to avoid burn out.
I’ve recently begun to take my weekends back. I decided the world would not end if I removed myself from being online. I started Friday night and went into Sunday evening. Now, this is easier to do when you go on vacation as that’s the whole point, right?
Staying home, on the other hand, is more of a challenge. While I still browsed Facebook and checked email I didn’t do it as often and limited my time. I reminded myself that I shouldn’t be online and just relaxed.
As a result, I managed to work out, clean the house, put away the dishes, play with the dogs, watch 4 movies, and read a book. That was all done fairly quickly with moments of cabin fever in between.
Point is, the world didn’t collapse because I wasn’t right there answering questions. It’s ok to take a break or even the weekend off. In fact, it’s often needed in order to get your head right.
Yes, I have moved many tasks to Monday and Tuesday since I took the weekend off but that’s ok. That’s what will keep me on point throughout the actual work day, right?
Do me and yourself a favor and take the time off. Remind yourself you need it. Go a little crazy for the fun of it and embrace the “cabin fever” you might get a few hours into your time off. It’s a good challenge and one that reminds us all that the world won’t end if we aren’t there.