No Days Off?

No Days Off!

We live in a society that glorifies working hard, so it is no wonder many are risking their health to get work done. From the photos we see people share on social media with hashtags stating “no days off” to the “motivational” videos of people who brag about how busy they are while stating “rest is for the weak,” it almost feels like a crime to take a day off to relax.  And for many, when they do get a day off from work, they spend the day either thinking about work, catching up on housework, or working just to get ahead. According to a study done by the World Health Organization and the International Labor Organization, an estimate of 745,000 people died in 2016 due to being overworked. The study also concluded this was a 29% increase since 2000. As we have been discussing on our past two blogs, your health is extremely important, and that includes your mental health. If you are having trouble taking time for yourself, here are some tips to help you with your mental health, but first, here are a few signs that you may be struggling. 

Burnout

Many people who experience feeling burnt-out do not always know they are burnt-out. If you are constantly working and your work-life balance is out of sync, you are at risk. Burnout can be defined as “physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion, accompanied by decreased motivation, lowered performance, and negative attitudes towards oneself and others.” Some people do not recognize the feeling until it is too late, so if you are feeling any of the following symptoms, please make time to rest:

 

  1. Extremely Fatigue
  2. Emotionally, Mentally, or Physically Exhausted 
  3. Feeling Apathetic or Dissatisfied With Work
  4. Tension Headaches 
  5. Disruption of Healthy Sleep and Eating Habits

 

We know that sometimes it can be extremely hard to take time for yourself, especially if there is so much to get done. So as promised, here are four tips to help you cope.

Tips To Help You Take Time For Yourself

1. Rest Is Selfless

For many of us, we tend to feel taking time for ourselves is selfish, especially for those with kids. We know and understand work needs to be done, but the work will never get done if you are not able to work. 


Rest is mandatory in order to survive and maintain a healthy living. It is not an option. I am sure many of us would love to be able to stay up and not get tired, but that is not how we were created. Resting gives our bodies a chance to catch up from all the work we put it through. It gives it a chance to replenish and rejuvenate itself, so allow your body to work and do just that. Without sleep you can’t form or maintain the pathways in your brain that let you learn and create new memories, and it’s harder to concentrate and respond quickly. Sleep is important to a number of brain functions, including how nerve cells (neurons) communicate with each other.

2. Stop Feeling Guilty

Have you ever noticed that sometimes society does the opposite of what should be done? It also tends to glorify the wrong things. As noted above, we were designed to rest. We were not created to work an extreme amount of hours. Our bodies and minds will not be able to function. 

 

Stop feeling guilty when you rest. Stop overthinking and wondering if you are doing enough when you see posts glorifying “no days off.” Please take some time off to avoid a decline in your health that can lead to death.

3. Listen to Your Body

Again, sometimes when we do get a day off, we manage to find ourselves working. Before you get antsy and your mind provokes you to get up and do something, listen to what your body is saying. Take a moment to stop listening to the voices telling you to get some work done and take note of what your body is saying. Your body will most likely tell you, “This feels good.” Relax. The work will be there tomorrow. It’s not worth your life.

4. Learn to Appreciate Yourself Outside Work

Sometimes we cannot enjoy ourselves outside work because we have not learned to appreciate who we are. You are more than your job and the work you do. You are precious and worthy of appreciation. Take a moment to celebrate you and your life by resting and taking time to yourself.

 

We know many people are fighting for the “American Dream,” but it is not a dream if you are not in it. We should all work hard, yes, but our hard work is only as good as how hard we rest. Life is about being balanced. If you are a firm believer in the American tradition of “no days off,” then we urge you to consider your health and give yourself permission to rest.

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