Stressed? Here Are Ways To Get Breaks

Life is hectic for everyone, from working nine-hour days, looking after little children, doing chores, and dealing with the countless duties of becoming independent. It’s not always possible to turn off your mind for an hour or even 20 minutes, no matter how nice that would be.

That still doesn’t mean you have to put up with a day of constant stress, anxiety, or tension. Even if your work doesn’t allow for a long meditation session, you can still arrange mental health breaks throughout the day.

These simple intervals can assist you to center yourself, improving your mood, and nourishing your body and mind. Surprisingly, doing so isn’t as difficult as you would believe. Here are a few simple methods to show your mental health some tender loving care through the day

Enjoy Your Meal Attentively

Working from home entails shoving lunch into your mouth before the next Zoom meeting. Alternatively, if you’ve resumed going to work, you might grab something quick before speeding back in. Make the most of your time by eating slowly.

Take a break from your gadgets while you dine. Concentrate thoroughly on chewing your food and savoring the aromas and textures of each bite. It helps you slow down and refresh your brain, even if you have a little time for it.

In an ideal world, you’d do this for every meal. It is rarely possible, but you can commit to one. For example, have a focused breakfast before starting your workday.

Go For A Walk Post-Lunch

Make an effort to take a lunch break and go for a walk outside. This method uses your free time during the day to get some exercise and clear your mind. Walking can help us manage our emotions and reduce anxieties.

You can try spending 15-20 minutes of your lunch hour break taking a stroll. It will help you feel better when you return to work.

Connect With Loved Ones

Connect with loved ones throughout the day to brighten your mood. Send a brief text to your husband, go outside to call your parents, or check on a friend online. It will increase the amount of oxytocin in your brain, and you will feel warm and relaxed.

If you work, schedule a coffee or lunch break with your favorite coworkers. Endorphins and dopamine are essential for our well-being and comfort, and these increase when we socialize.

Utilize Traffic Stops

Rather than worrying about being late or wishing traffic would move faster when you stop at a light, take a few moments to relax. Open your mouth and relax your jaw. Raise your shoulders gently, then push them back down. Take a deep breath to the count of five, then breathe out slowly on the count of seven.

Brain Dump

If your thoughts are racing or you’re having difficulty concentrating during the day, take out a book and write down everything you’re thinking. List down everything on your mind – whether they’re tasks, problems, or ideas that are bugging you. Write until you’ve captured everything in your head. De-cluttering helps immensely.

Listening To Podcasts

Working can be challenging and stressful, and it can be hard to turn off. Listening to something you enjoy will lift your spirits and help you recharge before returning home. You can save your favorite podcasts on your phones and listen on the way home or at the end of your workday. Put it on while you’re preparing dinner or while you’re out for a post-workday stroll.

Make Time For Your Mental Health

Scheduling some recharging time is an approach to ensure that you take a break. Plan a daily break in your work calendar. Block off your break in whatever way that suits you. Have some time in the morning for a regular thoughtful cup of tea, play your favorite song, and unwind in the afternoon. In the evening, you can go on a 20-minute walk with your dog.

Do Small Stretches

In between transitions, such as meals, restroom breaks, getting in and out of the car, etc., try slipping in a few stretches. Examples of stretches are gentle neck rotation, shoulder or ankle rolls, lifting your hands above your head, or leaning down to touch your toes. When done briefly, these little motions relieve tension and reduce your stress.

Breathe

The prospect of sitting for a 45-minute meditation can be intimidating at times. Take 21 breaths to get grounded. Meditation has numerous health advantages like reducing cortisol levels, lowering blood pressure, and increasing serotonin (the happiness hormone).

This exercise only takes a minute to complete and may be done at any time. Just keep your eyes closed, breathe in through your nose, and breathe out through your mouth.