How to beat stress - Take a break from stress

Taking a break from everyday stress

Taking a break from normal activity or everyday routines may be one of the best gifts that we could ever give ourselves. By taking a break, I mean that you completely disconnect yourself from your work and from the very environment in which you live, day in and day out. Routines are excellent; they actually help you to multi-task and work on auto-pilot, reducing the stress of working through it all. Yet we need a break even from the very routines that make life easy. Taking a break from routines helps you unwind and relax without having to worry about the next job on the things to do list. Most people take a break or a vacation and still continue to be connected to what they are doing by taking calls and still handling work wirelessly. This isn’t the break that I am talking about. When you take a break, it should be a clean break, away from the stress and struggles of everyday life. I do not see any point in taking a so-called break and still handling and fire fighting issues from some other place.

Take a break - nature's way

Taking a break can be done in many different ways. You could go on a vacation to some remote but beautiful place, just by yourself or with your family or you could just get into a spiritual retreat or a trekking trip. Whatever you do, make sure that you inform the people in your workplace that you would not like to be disturbed. If you are on a spiritual retreat, you need to inform your family about the times at which you can be contacted, but make sure that your contact with your normal, everyday world is minimal. Your laptops and cell phones are best left behind or carried just for the times that you need to be in touch with others. I remember the first time that I had gone on a week-long spiritual retreat, after two days into the retreat, I was neither aware of the date nor the day nor for that matter, of anything that was happening around me. We need to cut ourselves off from all the worries and the stress of the world, so much so that you forget what is happening around you. That would be an ideal means of reducing stress in a natural way.

Relax the natures way - take a break from stress

Going on a hiking / trekking trip or a sojourn into nature’s lap of luxury would also be an ideal break. Getting to some place so far away from the din, pollution and business of this world into a quiet place just surrounded by nature and her eloquent silence would be close to an ideal break. Nature calms the mind and makes time stand still. Your mind is totally at peace, your body at rest and you are so connected with nature and your inner self that you find your inner peace. Such breaks act as an analgesic to the mind, reducing stress and helping the mind and the body repair and renew itself from the wear and tear that it undergoes every day.

Beat stress, relax and renew your creativity in natures lap

Just a couple of days ago, I had taken a vacation to a beautiful place about 3000 feet above sea level. This place is untouched and almost in its virgin state. Every moment was so beautiful and complete in itself that I was totally lost in admiring nature and standing in awe of God’s creation. I had been away just for four days and when I came back, it was almost as if I had completely forgotten how to do my work. It took me a while to re-acquaint myself with my normal everyday routines. My mind is so peaceful and tranquil and even my body seems to have got used to nature’s clock.

Take a stress break - Let creativity flow

As we were driving back into town, I started thinking about what I should write next, and to my amazement, ideas were flowing like a river. I had to quickly take out a pen, and write them down, lest I should forget. Creativity is at its peak when your mind and your body are completely relaxed and for those of you who are in the field of creative writing or any creative activity, it is so important to take a break. Taking a break not only relaxes and calms down your mind and body but they seem to have a calming effect on your emotions too. Your emotions are now so tuned to this peace and quiet that you are flooded with happiness and inner peace or in other words a complete sense of emotional wellness.

Get the best out of taking a break

If you want to make the best of taking a break, you really need to keep your mind away from your normal activities. You need to switch off from work and all those things that trouble you, or keep you highly strung and focus on each and every moment and live in the present. Living the moment and capturing the moment not only with the camera but also with your mind and your senses is what gives you the resources to get through tough times. It increases the resilience and will power of your mind and makes your mind work sharper, quicker and more effectively than before. It is so important to take a few breaks through the year to be able to work at your optimal best. You not only have great adventures and stories to share with your loved ones, but you also have great memories stored up for times that may not be so leisurely.

I am reminded of the poem “Leisure” by William Henry Davies which says:

“What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
and stare as long as sheep or cows.”

I nod in agreement with the wisdom of his words. How peaceful it is to look up into the deep blue summer skies, smell the roses, feel the springy grass under your feet and live life from moment to moment, cherishing every bit of it. Give your mind, your senses and your body that much needed break. It is time to take a break, take a break that will stop you from having a breakdown. Take that break that you need to think through your problem and take the break that will help you leap ahead and do your best. It is time to take a break!!