Stress Awareness: When To Take A Break

“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” – William James

In 2020, life as we knew it changed overnight. With a global health scare outside and disruption of both work and life inside our homes, the pandemic brought with it several complications which were novel to society. Along with high mortality rates, we’ve collectively had to face severe physical, emotional and psychological ramifications. Because of this, stress levels have risen across the country’s workforce. Today, even though we’re well on the road to recovery, it’s imperative to address this rising stress which has become a mainstay.

As we get caught up in our personal and professional routines, the body and mind realize when they’re reaching breaking point and constantly give us signals. Following are four classic cues, which you may not accredit immediately to stress but are signs that you need to take a break. 

Low concentration

One-off days where everything is a blur are normal but not being able to concentrate over long periods is a sign of concern. Pay attention to instances like not being able to recall if you’ve sent that that important e-mail or constantly forgetting about scheduled calls. This is a warning sign from your brain to take a step back and reassess your pace. Chances are you may have bitten off more than you can chew which interferes with your ability to prioritize tasks. Taking regular breaks and building concise to-do lists should help you find your footing once you get to business as usual. 

Lack of immunity

Stress is one of the biggest contributors to irregular sleep. Over time, this takes a toll on not just your attentiveness but also your immunity. A body that’s not well-rested loses the ability to fight off infections and diseases. If you find yourself falling sick too often and notice a drop in drive, chances are that stress is the culprit.

Low motivation

Do you find yourself constantly putting things off for later? Over time, stress wears your mind’s ability to stay sharp. When this continues, the symptoms move from mind to body, making you feel physically incapacitated too. If you’re in a similar situation, it’s time to take a well-deserved break – but the solution doesn’t end there. Build healthy boundaries at work and try making a healthy lifestyle a priority. 

Change in eating habits

Have you noticed a sudden loss of appetite and find yourself craving junk food at the oddest hours? When we don’t prioritize meals, the body suddenly finds itself craving dopamine via sugary drinks and junk food. These foods target the reward centers of your brain and over time become an unhealthy habit. Start with small changes to your diet to bring yourself back on track. When it comes to eating healthy, remember to limit not eliminate unhealthy foods overnight. Rome wasn’t built in a day!

If you could instantly relate to the above points, schedule a meeting with your management to voice your concerns. At work and in life, you can achieve anything you want but you cannot achieve everything.