I’m not quite sure when I programmed it into my mind that rest wasn’t a priority for me.
Potentially it was when I was a child and my grandmother would wake me up with ”You can sleep when you’re dead” if I dared to stay in bed past 6:00 a.m. Or maybe it was in high school when I was under the impression that the only way I would be able to accomplish anything in my life as if I had a college application full of straight A’s and endless extra-circulars.
It could also have been from the constant influx of hustle culture on social media. Watching the disciplined work ethic of others and the incredible things they continue to accomplish. Whatever the influence was – I have come to recognize that the need to push and do more all the time is unhealthy and actually deteriorating both my quality of life satisfaction and my holistic health.
To reiterate the title of this article, it’s okay to take a break.
In my experience, I always intuitively know that I need a break – however, I struggle with giving myself permission to do so because I see the numerous things on my to-do list that need to get done. Or I remember my duties and responsibilities to others and place their needs before my own. Or I feel guilty that I am not actively pursuing my goals and dreams…
Despite whatever stories and worries we have been telling ourselves about rest and productivity, it is very important that we understand the long-term effects of stress on us and begin to re-prioritize rest in our lives. In today’s article, we’re going to discuss the long-term effects of chronic stress and some signs that you have been asking too much of your mind, body, and soul… and it’s time to take a break!
What’s the deal with stress?
Stress is a human experience, meaning we all go through it. The BIG difference is how we respond to it. There are two types of stress that we all experience:
- Eustress is the positive type of stress that motivates us to prepare for a presentation or that helps us train for that 5k we are running next weekend.
- Distress is the type of stress that negatively affects us, causing us to feel anxious or potentially suffer physical ailments like headaches or indigestion.
For both types of stress, we experience the same physiological reactions which include a release of cortisol throughout our bodies. The real concern happens when we experience a stressor that causes this physiological reaction and we do not complete the stress cycle.
This long-term or prolonged effect is known as chronic stress.
Chronic stress wreaks havoc on our bodies and without intentional self-care can cause us to become unwell physically and mentally. It’s important that we learn the signs of chronic stress in order to properly identify when it is time to rest and take a break from it all.
6 Tell-Tale Signs You Need a Break
1. You feel physically exhausted
The feeling of being physically drained is one that a lot of us can relate to. It’s that feeling of “crashing” the moment you get in the door and spend the rest of the evening in your PJs watching Netflix. Physical exhaustion is an extremely unpleasant experience as it prevents us from spending our precious time on the activities that fuel our souls with joy and passion. If you find yourself waking up in the morning barely to drag yourself out of bed, or you are needing higher amounts of caffeine than usual to help get you through the day, chances are you are physically exhausted and could use a break.
2. Minor inconveniences throw you for a loop
Instances throughout the day that were once annoyances that you could easily shrug off now become “de-railers”. When we are in desperate need of a break, it will reflect in our ability to be resilient in times of frustration or change. If the question, “why does this keep happening to me”!? has recently crossed your mind – it is most likely time that you take a break.
3. You can’t seem to see the bigger picture
Can you relate to the feeling of being “in the weeds”? So deep into whatever it is, perspective or a birds-eye view of all that is going on seems impossible. When we are deep down in it, and we can see the bigger picture of all that it is we are doing or going through, it’s a tell-tale sign you need a break. It’s incredible how a little time away and rest can help your mind to release its grasp on the minute details of a situation and process it in a way that allows for a new insight that can change everything.
4. Most things feel forced
The smile on your face. The workout you reluctantly went to. The email you re-worded several times to portray the correct tone. Everything is feeling unnatural and like it is taking more effort than usual. A Personality shift of this nature deserves attention and care. No one wants to feel like they are forcing their way through life – acting as an inauthentic version of themselves. If you are feeling this way – it’s a major sign that you are in need of a rest.
5. It feels difficult to concentrate
The amount of effort it takes to complete a task that you usually are able to complete with ease is shocking. From folding laundry to sending a text message, to having a conversation with loved ones. It can feel like your brain has way too many tabs open and it functions at a slower, less optimal pace than usual. If this is happening to you, it’s time to prioritize rest and turn off the world for a while so you can reboot.
6. You often feel cynical, negative, or indifferent
If you have a lingering feeling of a dark cloud hovering over your sun-shiny day – it’s important to figure out what is going on. If you are second-guessing the intentions of others or feeling as if that work you are doing doesn’t even matter anyway (spoiler – it 100% does matter) then it’s important you spend some time taking care of yourself. Even if you are more inclined as a person to have a pessimistic attitude if you feel a shift further down that road to cynicism or indifference you are in need of a break.
No matter what you are feeling, you deserve support along your journey to health and well-being. If you have noticed a significant decline in your health, please seek out the support of a healthcare professional.
I hope this article provided you with some insight into some of the ways the effects of chronic stress may show up in your daily life. I’d love to know your biggest takeaways in the comments below!
Here are some resources for some further reading on this subject:
https://www.verywellmind.com/why-you-should-take-a-break-3144576
https://www.calltomindnow.org/content/why-you-need-to-take-your-vacation-time
