PRO TIP
How To Give Yourself A Break
BY THE EXTOL TEAM
WE ALL KNOW
physical fitness
is imperative, beneficial, can stave off some
diseases and medical issues and contributes to
our emotional and mental well-being. But, so
does taking the occasional break.
All too often, we’re being bombarded with
negativity from a variety of fronts, which can affect
our physical health. So, what to do if you’re in
need of a mental reprieve? We found a number
of ways to give yourself that break you deserve,
even if it’s only for a moment.
SAY SAYONARA TO SOCIAL MEDIA
A study from the University of Pittsburgh found
a correlation between the amount of time we
spend on social media and our risk for depression.
Other studies have shown excessive social media
usage to increase loneliness, competitiveness with
others and the constant comparing of your life
to others. Do you wake up in the morning and
immediately log on to Twitter or Facebook (ahem,
guilty here)? Do you lay in bed at night scrolling
through status updates and political posts?
Vow to spend more time appreciating what’s
happening right now in your offline life. Enjoy a
moment and make it a memory, not an Instagram/
Facebook/Snapchat/Twitter post. In our office,
we have a sign with the words “Look at faces,
not devices,” on it as a reminder to take the time
and make the commitment to unplug every once
in awhile, and when we do, we feel better for it.
LEAVE WORK ON TIME
Sure, bosses love people who say nothing about
being given more work and responsibilities. And,
yes, good things come to those who work hard.
But, good things also come to those who employ
balance in their lives. When the work day is over,
don’t allow yourself to feel guilty for leaving. If
you have a manager who attempts to instill that
in you, perhaps it’s time to start seeking new job
opportunities.
DAYDREAM
Show us someone whose head is “in the clouds”
and we’ll show you someone who is envisioning
their life as they want it to be. Take the time
to dream, even if it’s about something silly or
most likely never to happen (like winning the
Powerball jackpot). Then, take those dreams,
determine what parts would be most useful in
your current life and go for it!
MAKE MISTAKES
There is no such thing as perfection, and not
everything you try is going to work. But, some
of the greatest failures can lead to the most
incredible discoveries. When you screw up and
it affects someone else, apologize. Then, remind
yourself you are not the sum of your mistakes.
That’s part of the beauty of being human: we err.
Acknowledge that and move on.
GIVE SOMEONE ELSE A BREAK
We live in a society where people are so quick to
point out others’ failures and even think nothing
of public shaming (again, guilty). Have you ever
given someone the benefit of the doubt instead
of reacting with anger? How did that feel? So,
you got cut off during your morning commute.
Instead of thinking that the act was intentionally
directed toward you and responding by blaring
your horn or worse, what if you gave your fellow
driver a break? You never know what someone
else is dealing with.
REACH OUT
Volunteering for a cause you care about can
be gratifying. It’s also beneficial in myriad other
ways, including reducing stress, potentially
lowering blood pressure – according to a Carnegie
Mellon University study – and reaching out to aid
others allows us to see beyond our own heads
and hearts. It’s amazing how focusing on others
gives us a reprieve from ourselves.
Do yourself a favor and give yourself a break.
You and everyone in your world will thank you
for it.
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