Take a Break Before You Reach the Breaking Point

“A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking.” – Earl Wilson

This week’s topic is especially appropriate for this time of year. With the holiday season already upon us, and all of the added responsibilities and activities this season brings to our already busy lives, it’s important to recognize that we all need a break now and then.
 
But before you reach the breaking point, take some time to just step away. Any kind of break will do – a relaxing bath, reading a good book in a quiet room, enjoying a cup of hot tea or coffee, snuggling up with your favorite four-legged friend, taking a walk – any change of routine or scenery will do you good.

Taking a break from responsibilities allows us to recharge our emotional batteries. Our friends at Caring Village explain it well:

“There is evidence that taking regular vacations is associated with health benefits including a long, healthy life, and reducing the possibility of heart disease. For caregivers, who deal with higher levels of stress and a greater likelihood of illness, it is even more important to find the time to get away from day-to-day responsibilities.”
 
As they note in the article, a vacation can help you:
1) Reduce stress
2) Keep your heart healthy
3) Sleep better
4) Improve your overall productivity at work, home, and as a caregiver
5) Avoid the negative impacts of NOT taking a vacation
 
Although you don’t have to leave home to take a vacation, it’s important to be sure that your break really is relaxing. If you’re still spending that time cooking, cleaning, caregiving, and running errands, you’re not on vacation. In order to really recharge and regroup, it’s necessary to set aside your daily tasks and focus only on those activities that are relaxing and pleasurable.
 
Of course, this isn’t always easy to do, given all of the responsibilities a caregiver has. If you're having a hard time finding someone to support you in taking a break – maybe you need coverage for your loved one, or you need support yourself – feel free to message me. Or, in Northeast Ohio, you can call 211 – the United Way hotline for resources. You can also contact our community partner, the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County who have loads of resources, too!