How often do you relax and take a break? Statistics reveal that an increasing number of us hate being away from work, with some 19 million UK holidays going unused in a single year. One in five of us works seven hours of overtime each week without pay. And these figures only include wage earners.

Business owners and sole traders rarely think about set hours or what time they need to get off work. It may be only when your health begins to suffer, relationships with family and friends suffer, or you begin to feel resentful and tired that there is any motivation to change things.

Allowing time to relax and take a break is important on many levels. A recent Workforce Survey found that 45% of all working days, 11.7 million last year in total, were lost due to stress-related problems. The impact of not relaxing and taking a break can be very significant in all areas of life.

– One of the reasons so many of us work so hard is to provide a good life for our family and make them proud of us. But spending less and less time together, placing more and more importance on customers or clients, or being constantly irritable or distracted may be impacting the quality of those relationships. Similarly, we should take time for ourselves, take a break, pursue our hobbies and interests, or just relax and do nothing. Taking the time to nurture the creative, non-work side of ourselves brings another dimension of satisfaction and fulfillment.

– It has been found that when we take a breakEven for brief periods, perhaps for a short walk or a drink of water, we often come back with new ideas and perspectives on problem areas that may have worried us. People often say, don’t make a hasty decision, sleep and see how you feel in the morning. Also, unplugging and taking a break can be beneficial. It allows time for our minds to quiet down, new thoughts and ideas to surface, and for us to take a little time away from ‘coal face’.

– Chasing our dreams, challenging ourselves and being successful are all very well. It’s important to say ‘yes’ and get out of our comfort zone sometimes, but it’s also important to say ‘no’ and claim time and energy for ourselves too. Including every area of ​​life in our focus matters. Let’s consider some useful ways to relax and take a break.

– If work is usually a mental, cerebral activity a break can provide the opportunity for an alternative activity such as physical exercise and time to work and stretch those muscles. Sleep-related problems and our sleep quality can be affected when we are mentally tired but not physically, or vice versa. If the work is largely mental, throw in sports, walks, a round of golf, hit the gym, and maybe add a social element by sharing those times with friends or family.

If you work primarily in a physical capacity, join a quiz night, put away your board games, start doing crossword puzzles, or join a book club and find social ways to take a break and spend time mentally exercising.

– Sometimes we need to learn to relax little by little, perhaps by feeling that it has a purpose. Volunteering, perhaps for a charity, youth group or community project, can introduce something different but also add value to life. We take our focus away from work goals, profits, profits, and as such redirect our energy towards something with a less business-focused angle. Doing this provides space to explore new skills, work with a different agenda, and meet new people, those with similar interests to our own.

– Relax and take a family break.. Learn how to have proper conversations, stay up to date with the news, opinions and stories of others. Share your challenges with them, they are the closest people to you and let them help you. They may be able to relieve pressure in different areas of your life, resulting in better communication and improved bonding.

– Consider outsourcing some of your commitments. You may be able to buy yourself a break by hiring help with housework like cleaning, ironing, or gardening, or by paying someone to do those work-related tasks that aren’t your strong suit. Paying the best person to do the job can be money well spent, resulting in a more professional approach that can even lead to new business. Then make good use of your free time by spending an afternoon pleasuring yourself.

– In the afternoons turn off the technology and determine not to turn it on again unless there is an emergency situation that needs monitoring. Do relaxing things, like take a walk, listen to music, read a book, spend time with your loved ones; all investments in those other important areas of your life. Sometimes he even turns down invitations and every once in a while you get a night off if you’ve been too busy with social engagements. Take advantage of the time to enjoy yourself, eat your favorite foods, take a relaxing bath and go to bed early.

Taking personal responsibility for your health and wellness, both mental and physical, puts you back in control. After all, even the airlines say that in times of turbulence put the oxygen mask on your own face first. Then you will be in a better position to help others.