5 Ways to Take a Break from Your Business for Even Better Results

If you truly love what you do it is easy to “forget” that you’re working. And even if you’re not crazy about your work or your business (in which case we really should talk), exterior motivators can cause us to overwork ourselves without notice.

Unfortunately, failing to take a proper break from your business is likely to lead to much more than burnout. In fact, in addition to burnout, failing to take a break from your business actually hinders your ability to think creatively, be more efficient, and innovate when you need it most.

But the funny thing about taking breaks from your business is that if you are not careful, you can trick yourself into thinking you’re taking break when you really aren’t. Here are five foolproof ways to get the break you so rightly deserve.

1. De-Screen

That’s right, no screens whatsoever. This means no television, no video games, no smartphones, and no electronic devices that provide visual stimulation. This is my favorite way to take a bona fide break from my business, but it requires very, very high levels of discipline. One of the reasons de-screening is so difficult is because we may enjoy relaxing by watching television, but the reality is that our brain is not getting an adequate break. Your brain is still processing information. Being that we humans spend so much time in front of all sorts of screens most of our waking hours, stepping away from those technologies can do wonders for your mental clarity and overall well being.

2. Take a 72 Hour Sabbatical

For some business owners or employees this may be more difficult than the other options here, but if you can take the opportunity to physically get away from your working environment and home base for at least a three day period you will be amazed at the results. The key to squeezing out the healing power in this business break is to refrain from any work-related and high stress activities. Instead, opt for visiting museums, art galleries, beaches, parks, and other cultural happenings to truly disconnect from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life. And for bonus points, leave your smartphone at home!

3. Attend a Spiritual or Fitness Retreat

The key to making a business break worth its while is to set your mind on things other than your business. For those of us with more active minds and frequent mind chatter engaging in a retreat can be the perfect tool for shifting your focus. Retreats are effective in this way because they are typically well-organized and lead by an instructor who helps direct your focus. I love taking spiritual and fitness based retreats. Anytime I participate in something of that nature I always come back to work refreshed and full of new ideas.

4. Go Camping

I’m an undercover tree-hugger and never feel at more peace than I do when I’m out in nature. This is no coincidence. As our lifestyles have evolved, we have become less and less connected to nature and our environment. But before modern civilization our relationship and reliance on nature was much more significant. As it turns out, the human body craves exposure to sun, oxygen, trees, and other forms of nature. Find your inner girl scout; break out your hiking boots, and pitch a tent (or rent a luxury cabin ) with a loved one. You’ll be so glad that you did!

5. Spend Two Days Cleaning & Organizing Your Home

Cleaning and organizing my home? That’s no break you scoff! Sorry Suzy, I hate to break it to you, but mundane and rote activities like cleaning and organizing are some of the best methods for give the brain time to recharge and de-stress. It may not sound like much of a “break” to tackle your closet or clear out your garage once and for all, but your brain will thank you for it. Try to make the experience fun by getting your family to pitch in and rocking out to your favorite Pandora station. When you’re done, not only will feel refreshed because you took a true mental break, but you’ll feel so good about what you’ve accomplished.

Timeout = Total Recharge

When you take time away from your work you become more productive. Science shows that the further the brain is (both mentally & physically) from a problem the more quickly and creatively it can generate solutions. If you’re feeling stuck or frustrated with your business it may be time to take time away.

And even if you’re not feeling stuck, if your passion for our business is waning it’s likely an indication that you’re operating on overdrive. Taking time to recharge your batteries will help bring about a renewed sense of enthusiasm to your work.

The bottom line is that no matter how much we like to think we can do it all, we need to give our body, mind, and spirit the time it needs to properly recover if we intend to work at peak performance. And we all want to work at peak performance, right?

When is the last time you took a break from your business? What did you do on your break? How did it make you feel about your business? Did you experience a sense of renewal? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

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Tagged as: bcb network: business, burnout