Sometimes you just can’t go any more.  I hit that point a few weeks ago.  After four family birthdays, a busy season of sports and music lessons and very tight finances I wasn’t sleeping well any more.  My little body felt weighed down and discouraged.

We didn’t have much money left and it was spring break.  So we decided to go backpacking into a beautiful spot in our home state of Utah.  It was hard work getting ready for the trip.  But the first night of sleep was blissful.  There were no schedules, no deadlines, no house to clean, no kids to pick up, no carpool.  I slept and slept knowing that there was nowhere I needed to be.  The next night was the same.  I went to bed with the sun and woke up much later than normal.  My body needed that rest.

I came back from that two day trip ready to face the world again.  I was sleeping.  I was not grumpy.  The world looked all around rosier although my problems were exactly the same.

Are you tired?  Go to bed early.  Take a nap.  

Are you grumpy and irritable?  Go for a walk.  Take an evening away.

Do you feel discouraged and unable to cope anymore?  Slow down.  Take a day off.  Ask for help from a spouse or a friend. Do something slow and quiet.

While it may seem counterintuitive, taking regular breaks can actually help you be more productive than working without stopping.  Effective breaks can help to reset your perspective so that you’re ready to re-focus when you return to your work.  Taking breaks while studying can even improve recall! If you find yourself growing increasingly frustrated, tired or grumpy – listen to your body!  Take a break and you will come back refreshed, renewed, and ready to face the challenges of life.