Spring will be here before you know it, and with it comes new growth, possibilities, and a metaphorical breath of fresh air after a long winter slumber. However, if you’re feeling mentally and physically drained, even the changing of the seasons may leave you feeling more overwhelmed than excited.
While “spring break” has long been coined for students to get a much-needed reprieve from heavy schedules, everyone can benefit from a physical and mental break.
Signs You Need a Break
Are you running on all cylinders or running on fumes? Sure, some days are harder than others, but if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed day after day, it’s time to give your body and mind what it deserves: A break!
Here are some signals you may need to unplug.
Constantly Feeling Anxious
A little anxiety every now and then can be a good thing, motivating us to make positive changes or alerting us against possible threats to our safety. However, too much anxiety can lead to a host of problems, including headaches, unexplained pains, restlessness, and more.
Sleepless nights
Whether it’s the stress of a big project, racing thoughts, or heavy anxiety, chronically losing sleep, for whatever reason, can take a toll on your health and even increase your risk of diabetes, obesity, heart attacks, and more.
Little Motivation
More than just hitting snooze on your alarm clock, having little motivation to get through your daily schedule can be a sign that you’re burned out. And, with no motivation, it’s possible that things you usually prioritize, like eating right and exercising, may fall by the wayside, making it even harder to bounce back.
Little Focus
Sure, we all get distracted, especially when it comes to things we don’t really want to do. However, if lack of focus seems to be a constant struggle, it may be your body’s way of telling you to take a break.
Bouncing Back from Burnout and Fatigue
While it’s best to be proactive and take a break before you start feeling the effects of burnout, you can give your body a much-needed mental and physical break at any time. Here are steps to help you reset and thrive again.
Take a vacation
A vacation doesn’t have to mean rowdy spring breakers partying it up on the beach. However, if a tropical vacation is in your scope, by all means, go get that vitamin sea! If not, that’s ok too.
Even just taking a pause from your everyday schedule can do the body (and brain) good! Take time to focus on activities you like to do or try something new.
Take a Mental Health Day
Taking a mental health day isn’t an excuse to play hooky or an over-indulgence. In fact, by giving your body the chance to relax, unwind, or do something fun, you’re investing in yourself. And that’s what mental health days are for!
Try Yoga
Deep breathing, stretching, and regular yoga practice offer a wide range of benefits. And, according to John Hopkins Medicine, adding yoga to your routine can help reduce stress and inflammation, improve balance, strength, flexibility, and more. Yoga can even help brighten your mood, manage stress, and help you sleep better.
Get Back to Nature
It’s called Spring fever for a reason! So why not spend a day with nature? Go for a walk, have a picnic, play outside… whatever you do, try and unplug from your usual screen time and be intentional about disconnecting, so you can better recharge.
Dial in the happy.
Could you use a helping hand to get back on track? XanthoMax® Happy Caps can help. As a powerful antioxidant, they go beyond your one-a-day vitamins, to help support a better mood and better health. Because as you probably know, happiness and healthiness go hand and hand.
