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Taking Time Out
By Karen Vally on 29 May 2025
“We need to nurture ourselves to give ourselves the physical and mental energy to face the challenges that arise before us. Facing even minor challenges is hard when you are feeling frazzled. We expect too much of ourselves, yet most of us stubbornly refuse to cut ourselves even the tiniest amount of slack.”
We do not have to be busy to justify our existence, says April J. Harris.
Many people power through the day without taking a break. When they do have some downtime, they rely on their electronic devices to fill that gap.
Research has shown that, when we choose to do nothing, or better still, to daydream, we increase our productivity, ignite our creativity and enhance our health and well-being.
“Sometimes we need to idle the engine and just be. A well-placed ‘time out’ can be extremely effective, improving your ability to innovate, reason and be present in your daily life,” says psychiatrist, Lisa MacLean.
Not only does it make us feel good, but it is also good for us.
“Periods of doing nothing shouldn’t be confused with laziness or a lack of drive, “she added.
“Today more than ever, we need to nurture ourselves with regular time out to replenish our resources, calm our anxiety, nurture our creativity and even benefit those around us.”
When we have a lot to do or a complex problem to solve, we often say, “I don’t have time to take a break.”
The irony is that research has shown that microbreaks have a positive effect on our productivity, performance and our well-being.
“Stepping away from day- to- day life and taking some time for yourself is a great way to gather a little perspective. When you open your life to more beyond just work or your daily chores, you help give yourself some clarity and perspective.”
The next time you are struggling to concentrate, feel drained or you’re stuck on a problem, resist the urge to continue. Disconnect from your electronic devices. Make yourself a cup of tea or coffee and take a walk outside, either alone or with some of your peers. Social interactions can be highly effective in restoring our energy and enhancing our mood.
“Being mindful of scheduling downtime is key to it happening.”
It is an irrefutable fact that taking a vacation is extremely beneficial for our minds, bodies and our souls. Taking a vacation provides us with a greater opportunity to rest, improve the quantity and quality of our sleep, and to declutter our minds.
Spending time in nature while on vacation, greatly enhances our psychological well-being and boosts our immune systems. Being on vacation provides us with a golden opportunity to just be still. There’s no hard and fast rule for taking time out. However, what is
important is that we can recognize when we need to do so. Even a few minutes a day can make a difference. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but with practice this “purposeful habit” could greatly enhance the quality of our daily lives.
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