When people think of summer, they think of vacation time. Travel. Chilling by the pool or at the beach. The season is synonymous with time off and relaxation. And we all understand the benefits.
Regardless of the time of year, there are certain signs that indicate you need to take a break. And different ways to make that happen. It doesn’t have to include a trip or even any special plans. Sometimes, you just need time off. And ignoring these red flags can be risky…
You're tired all the time
Burnout was defined by psychologist Herbert Fruedenberger in 1974 as "becoming exhausted by making excessive demands on energy, strength, or resources.” Included in the symptoms of burnout were exhaustion and fatigue, often accompanied by insomnia.
While getting a good night's sleep can be elusive for many people, the exhaustion that comes with being burnt out isn't alleviated by rest alone. If you're experiencing a persistent and truly endless feeling of exhaustion, it's a clear sign that your body wants you to take a break.
Feeling exhausted even after a full night of sleep indicates your body is stretched beyond its capacity. Taking time away from acute stressors can help reset your nervous system and allow you to get the rest you need.
You have brain fog that rarely seems to clear
Brain fog is your body is sending you a warning that it's time to take a break. Experts at Psychology Today define brain fog as "A type of cognitive dysfunction characterized by poor memory, difficulty focusing, confusion, and mental fatigue."
Experiencing mental fog is common during times of heightened stress. Chronic stress keeps your nervous system stuck in high alert, leaving you in a state of flight, fight, or freeze. It can be difficult to complete even simple tasks because your brain is in survival mode, which can lead you to feeling overwhelmed by your day-to-day life…
Your body aches in weird places
Another sign your body is warning you it's time to take a break is if you consistently wake up feeling achy and then feel achy throughout the day, in a generalized way. This is especially true if you also have a headache at some point on a daily basis.
The first thing to do, of course, is visit your healthcare provider and get checked for the serious stuff. Once you're cleared, you should assume this is happening because your body wants you to give yourself a break.
Headaches are an indication you're holding extra stress and tension in your body. They're a clear warning you need to decompress, which most likely means lowering your level of stress...
According to a 2016 article published in the journal World Psychiatry, experiencing musculoskeletal pain is also associated with being burnt out. You might have back pain, shoulder pain, or neck pain, which are all signs you're physically wound up, without the ability to fully relax.
Your body often translates emotional issues into physical pain, which is why being in chronic discomfort is a sign you need to let yourself off the hook and take a break...
For more signs stress is impacting you negatively, read the full article here.
If you absolutely cannot take a full break, but you are seeing some of these signs, try making changes to your daily routine. Look for ways to eat better, exercise more, get more sleep, and be social. Even small adjustments to your habits can yield big rewards. You matter. Treat yourself well!