This weekend I hit a little point of burnout.  I was feeling tense, tired and snapping at everyone.  I hadn’t had the best night’s sleep the night before and I had been giving a lot.  I finally just laid down on my bed exhausted and staring blankly at the wall.  Luckily, after years of practicing at my career as a mother I knew what I needed to do. I needed a break.  And soon.  So, I told my husband and – bless his kind heart – he immediately kicked into gear.  He took the kids and the new puppy for a little outing and left me to recuperate in peace.  I fixed myself a healthy lunch, took a nap and took a warm bath.  By the time he came home I was feeling ready to face the rest of the weekend.

Now what you do for your breaks may be different than me.  But I feel that everyone needs breaks.  Especially, if you run most of the day in high gear.  Indeed, I feel that women who take breaks are kinder, more effective mothers than those who do not. This goes across the board for working moms as well.  

As a younger mom, I always napped.  I scheduled time for myself to rest.  My children ran me thin and I needed time to recuperate.  And the breaks that I took were naps.  I remained close to my children who either napped or had quiet time.  The naps were usually not long – 30 minutes or so but I woke up feeling refreshed.  I also alternated running every other morning – my husband ran on my off days.  Usually I ran for only about twenty minutes but it was enough to get my engine kicked into gear.  And eventually, one evening a week on the advice of two bishops I started taking an evening off.  It felt selfish at first but when you are constantly doing service in your home you need a chance to do your own thing.  Would an employer deny an employee breaks?  So, why do we women feel so guilty about doing it ourselves.  

Now, my life looks a little different.  My day is basically like a hurricane with a quiet eye in the middle.  I am very busy in the mornings and also after my children come home from school.  And I am learning not to clutter the middle of my day too much.  I do the basic housework, prepare dinner, and then I also take time for things I enjoy – I write, I read, I talk on the phone, sometimes I still even take a nap.  These are things I enjoy.

What rejuvenates you?  It may be exercise.  It may be a healthy snack.  It may be music or napping or hobbies or even a lunch with friends.  Figure it out and take some time for it.  You’ll be glad that you did.