When to Take a Break From Work

Working a 9-to-5 job is tiring, and at some point, everyone needs a break from this lifestyle. Whether it’s a weekend off or a month-long holiday, everyone deserves some time away from the office. However, if you notice some of the following signs, schedule time off from work as soon as you can.

Depressed Mood

Depression is a very common mental illness and it comes with a wide array of triggers. For some people, staying inside all day leads them to feel like they’re wasting their life away. This can be detrimental to their mental health, leading to a flare up of depressive symptoms. If you struggle with depression, don’t be afraid to take time away to care for yourself. It’s important to keep an appropriate work-life balance.

Health Concerns

On the other side of health, there are physical concerns for your well-being caused by excess stress. Stress causes an upward spike in blood pressure, which can cause harmful effects. People with consistently high blood pressure are at a greater risk of heart attacks and strokes. On a lesser note, stress can also strain your immune system, leaving you more prone to colds and flus. Many people with high-stress jobs feel some physical symptoms, but it’s also not uncommon for people of any profession to be affected. When you feel your health slipping, make sure to take enough time off to rest and come back strong.

Losing Motivation

Going to the same place and completing the same tasks every day can be monotonous, so it’s no wonder that people lose motivation after several months of tedium. When people begin to lose motivation to continue along the same path, it can lead to sloppy work, which benefits no one. It can also cause you to come across as not caring about your duties. If you start noticing a pattern of wishing you didn’t come into work and doing a poor job, you should take some time off to see if you just needed a break or if you really do not like your position.

Constant Overtime

Some roles require people to work more than 40 hours per week, which can negatively affect their work-life balance. Doctors, for example, may be required to be on call for much of their time off. Lawyers often put in long hours researching cases to help their clients. Construction workers may see an uptick in their work during the summer. Even if you’re outside of one of these industries, you may still find yourself working overtime often. While it’s not a great idea to leave your team in the middle of a project, it is helpful to set aside time off once the workload slows down. It’ll give you something to look forward to after weeks of work overload.

Taking a break from work is not a bad thing. People need time to relax in order to do their jobs well, and it’s a good idea to take regular breaks to avoid burnout. If you’ve experienced anything I’ve listed above, make sure to take time for yourself to ensure you are living the happy, healthy, productive life you want.

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