How do you know when to take a break from work?

You know those moments when you find yourself staring at the computer screen, or at the piles of tasks piling up in front of you, and it seems that the more time you spend trying to solve a problem, the more enigmatic it becomes? That's exactly when you should take a short break for yourself. Give yourself permission to step away from work for a short while, and you'll be surprised at the clarity it can bring. It's as if the act of relaxing and temporarily stepping away allows your brain to process information more effectively, bringing a new perspective to the situation.

Building awareness is the first step towards taking action. So my first tip is for you to build into your routine regular times to slow down and reflect. If you need some help during your reflection you can ask yourself: 1. What did I accommplish this week? 2. How did I feel this week? 3. Did I enjoy enough time with my loved ones? 4. Did I have time to do what I love most? 5. Pick one metric you want to stay aware of; it might be nutrition, exercise, sleep, and track how you're doing. Taking the time to stop and reflect will avoid the trap of go,go,go, sometimes without even realizing that you are tired, stressed, ignoring what is dearest to you. Look at your answers with compassion and without judgement, simply decide to act. Agree?

One thing I find to be helpful is to take an outsider looking in perspective. If I were a fly on the wall, or I were my best friend viewing my situation, what would I see? It’s a lot easier to recognize the signs in others and compassionately encourage a break. It can be easier to recognize our needs when we stop and remove ourselves and objectively notice what seems out of whack.

In my experience, the signs that you need a break can sometimes be mistaken for just another busy week. But when 'busy' becomes your everyday state and the moments of joy in your work begin to fade, it's time to listen to what your mind and body are telling you. I learned to tune into the subtler signals—like when I started viewing my passion projects as just another task. That was my cue that it was time to step back and breathe.

Assessing when to take a break is a skill I've honed over time. It's not just about feeling tired; it's about noticing when the quality of your work slips, or when the creativity that once flowed freely feels like it's drying up. For me, taking a break has ranged from short digital detoxes to a more extended period after the birth of my children. It's crucial to weigh the immediate and long-term benefits of rest against the perceived urgency of work demands.

Communication is key to any relationship, and that includes the professional ones. I've found that being transparent with my team about needing a break not only helped me but also encouraged a culture of openness and self-care within our work environment. It’s about setting the stage for a healthier work dynamic—one where taking a break is viewed as a component of success, not a detour from it.

Best advice…remove Slack and work email from your phone when you’re on vacation or disconnecting. It’s amazing how much easier it is to relax when you don’t feel the constant tug to check.

The art of enjoying a break is something I believe we all can master. For me, it's been about being present—whether that’s while reading a book I've been putting off, spending undistracted time with my family, or simply taking a moment to enjoy nature. I treat breaks as sacred, a time to indulge in the richness of life outside the office, which in turn enriches my professional vitality.

Coming back to work after a break can be as important as the break itself. I've always approached my return as a fresh start, an opportunity to apply newfound insights and energy. The key is to reintegrate with intention, carrying forward the balance and perspective gained during the break, and to avoid falling back into old patterns that led to the need for a break in the first place.

One aspect we often overlook is how our breaks can benefit our teams and organizations. A rested leader brings more to the table than one on the brink of burnout. My breaks have often led to my most innovative ideas and approaches, and I've seen this ripple effect in my team’s energy and creativity. It's about recognizing that a well-timed break is not a full stop—it's a comma in the continuous sentence of our careers.