We all need and deserve to take a break from work now and then. Even workaholics can’t operate at 100% productivity, day in and day out, without burning out at some point.

It’s also important to remember that work isn’t everything and you deserve to take some time off to enjoy the money you’ve been earning. 

 If your mind and body indicate a need to take a break from work, ignoring the signs and continuing to work will likely not benefit you or the quality of your work results. That said, if you sometimes struggle to take a break from work, discovering how to do it successfully is essential.

Here are a few tips on how to take a break from work when it’s needed and when your mental health requires it the most!

Shut down your laptop and lock it away

 Ready to take a break from work? One of the most challenging obstacles you will likely face is being able to put your work laptop away or stop reading emails.

To ensure you get an authentic detox from work, switch off your laptop and lock it away. That goes for any other devices. For your mobile phone, it’s more complicated if your personal phone is also your work phone. Consider putting your phone on airplane mode or logging out of your emails on the mobile app so you don’t get notified.

Reorganize your personal spaces

If you’re someone who gets distracted by the ping of their phone as a work email comes in, then you may also find it hard to refrain from working when you run out of things to do during your time off from work.

If you stay home during your time off, consider reorganizing your personal spaces. Like many ultra-busy people, chances are, you’ve yet to do much cleaning up your home and sorting out closets or drawers cluttered with stuff you no longer need.

Write down everything you’ve wanted to do around the home when you have free time and start working through the list.

Watch a good movie alone or with friends

There’s nothing like watching a good movie alone or with friends when it comes to unwinding in the evening. Perhaps you’re interested in having a movie marathon of cowboy romance movies if that’s your vibe?

Whatever genre you’re into, a movie night or movie marathon is a great way to burn some time and spend some time switching off from the pressures of work. Enjoy a movie day alone, or invite your friends for a movie night.

Set up the scene and ensure you have all the snacks and beverages to satisfy you throughout your movie day/night. Consider throwing a dinner with friends before winding down in front of a movie.

Have a relaxing bath

A relaxing bath is a great way to take time for yourself and indulge in some much-needed pampering time. There’s nothing better than taking a bath or a warm shower if you prefer showers over baths.

For those who love bathtime, make sure to bring your bubbles, a candle or two, and switch the lights off to create a spa-like vibe.

Learn a new skill

New skills are always helpful in life, and if you plan to take a break from work, how about learning a new skill? It could be learning how to knit or painting by numbers. These skills don’t necessarily need to be for the purpose of a career but as a hobby and a way to relax and enjoy life a little more.

Before you plan to take a break from work in the near future, think about what new skills you could undertake when you next have some time off.

Review your personal affairs

When you’ve let work control the reigns for so long, neglecting certain aspects of your affairs is not uncommon. Set aside some time to ensure your personal matters are in order and up to date. For example, check expiration dates on your driver’s license, credit cards, and passport.

The grind is often overrated, and the decision to take a break from work periodically is a must. Are you ready?