Blog Post #105: Taking Breaks
Type C’ers who tend to stay very busy doing for others must make conscious efforts to take breaks. Too often, we are on auto-pilot, getting things done. We feel guilty taking breaks so we don’t do it. Working through lunch, not stopping for bathroom breaks, working into the night - these are sadly all too common for Type C.
During my corporate career, many of my (Anna) colleagues took breaks to exercise during lunch breaks. I never did this - I felt too guilty, I felt like I was letting down the boss or the team. On a deeper level, I didn’t feel like I deserved the breaks, that my contributions weren’t valuable enough and I needed to prove myself by being hyper-available. I would take breaks to go to kids’ school events or doctor visits - but this was super stressful. I tried to minimize my time out of office, and I constantly checked the time, checked my emails and texts. I could not relax and be fully engaged or present with whatever was taking me out of office.
The research is clear, though, that breaks are good for everyone. Breaks make us more productive. They give our minds a chance to rest and recover, and they boost our energy. Logic dictates that if breaks are good for us - they are also good for our employers! As Type C’ers, we have to accept that we will feel guilty taking breaks, and sit with the guilt, knowing that we can build stamina for it. We can build this emotional muscle and train it, just like our physical muscles. And always remind ourselves of the cost of having a double standard - thinking we don’t deserve a break. What has this done to our health, our energy, our productivity over the years?
Here are some ideas for 5-10 minute restorative breaks during the day:
Deep breathing exercises
A short walk around the office floor or house
Drink a cup of decaf tea - no screens
Stretching exercises
Chat with a co-worker about something non-work related
Sit/play with a pet
And for longer breaks during the workday, consider:
Meet a friend for lunch
Walk outside, getting fresh air and sunshine
Exercise/go to the gym
Practice longer and longer intervals without checking the phone when going out to an appointment