Take A Break!

By: Carey Robey, MS, LPC, NCC

Take a Break: Here’s Why and How

Are you taking enough breaks? If the answer is “yes,”- great! Keep reading to make sure you are using those breaks wisely. If the answer is “no,”- read on to remind yourself why you deserve and may need time to recharge. Taking breaks is an essential part of mental health. Breaks allow our body and mind to keep going; the recharge we get from taking a step back lowers our stress and increases our overall health.

Why and When to Take a Break?

Life can be demanding, and the more we stay on the grind and don’t take the necessary time for rest, the more opportunity we create for increased stress and burnout. Not only does this affect our productivity, but it negatively impacts our self-care and mental and physical health. The need for breaks varies from person to person, and the type of break can change based on your needs. Sometimes we might be considering taking more little breaks throughout our day; other times, the need for longer breaks may be necessary. Maybe we need a mental health day, or maybe we need to take a few days off, or maybe just an hour here or there. Taking breaks can be a reset; they can increase our understanding of ourselves, allowing us to have a greater awareness of where and when we need to take breaks and what kind of break we really need.

What to Do On Breaks?

Utilizing breaks to do things that bring comfort or relaxation is a great place to start. Try to avoid getting into another monotonous task and allow yourself space and time to recharge. Sometimes though, we are able to simply switch tasks, and that allows us enough room to feel less stressed. Changing your surroundings can also be a great way to take a break, sit outside or go somewhere new for something different. You may want to engage in an activity you enjoy or simply read or take a nap. On a nice day, maybe you want to sit outside, close your eyes, and think happy thoughts. Think of engaging in meditation or some light physical activity. The options are endless. The point is to listen to your body and mind, check in with yourself daily, and see what you may need for that day or week.

Find Space for a Break

You are the only one who needs to give yourself permission to take a break. Remember that even a few minutes can do a lot to refresh and reboot our bodies and minds. If you feel that you need more time, plan ahead to make that a reality. Clear your schedule so that you only have to really be accountable to yourself, but don’t wait to give yourself a little break in the meantime. Taking breaks allows us to clear our minds, increase positive and healthy habits, promote wellness and relaxation, and reduce stress. If you need more reasons why you deserve a break, come see me for therapy! I would love to assist you in prioritizing your self-care needs and guiding you to a place of peace and happiness.

Begin Therapy in Katy, TX!

If you are ready to start taking breaks for your well-being, one of the therapists at The Center at Cinco Ranch can help! We provide mental health counseling, as well as other mental health services. To begin counseling in Katy, TX follow these three steps:

• Contact our office to set up an appointment or to learn more information
• Meet with one of our compassionate therapists
• Find ways to thrive through taking breaks today!

Other Therapy Services We Offer: 

Here at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we offer counseling services for people of all ages in areas including counseling for kids, counseling for young adults, teen counseling, couples counseling, eating disorder treatment, men's issues, women's issues, anxiety treatment, depression therapy, trauma counseling, family therapy, and group counseling. Our therapists strive to post blogs regularly. We provide helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. To learn more about our therapists and our counseling services, please reach out to the Counseling Center today!