“Quiet the voice telling you to do more and be more, and trust that in this moment, who you are, where you are at, and what you are doing is enough. You will get to where you need to be in your own time. Until then, breathe. Breathe and be patient with yourself and your process. You are doing the best you can to cope and survive amid your struggles, and that’s all you can ask of yourself. It’s enough. You are enough.” ~Daniell Koepke

In today’s world, Working weeks where you feel exhausted, drained, and stressed is seen as the new norm. Especially when you have to make ends meet and provide for yourself and your loved ones

However, Living like this for months on end can build and lead to burnout or a breakdown of your physical health. That said, it is imperative you know the importance of “stopping” every once in a while to recharge.

Even Machine needs a form of fuel to function. Cars need gasoline and asides from eating healthy and sleeping – there are other ways you can recharge your “life battery”. These tips would help you stay healthier, happier and more productive. You also avoid burnout.

3 Helpful tips 

1. Schedule a time for “just you”: Do you feel like all your waking hours are spent working or worrying about work?. This circle can lead to a constant drain on your mental energy and impede on your productivity. It is good to have time for yourself when you do the things you enjoy, not work-related. This time could be spent with family, friends, loved ones or on your hobbies. If you have a 9-5, telling yourself you’d finish your work when it is due and not carry work home is a good “boundary” to set for “me times”. Or better still you can decide not to work on weekends or Sundays. On a smaller scale you can set yourself the task of taking 10 minutes out of every hour to do something not “work-related”. This also boosts productivity as you work to use the time you have. “ The amount of time that one has to perform a task is the amount of time it will take to complete the task.” – Parkinsons Law

2. It’s okay to say “NO”: Are you a “yes man” – Always there for everyone. Learning to set your boundaries and how to say NO is your second self care tip. It can feel draining saying YES to every favour asked of you especially if it is something you do out of compulsion. The truth is – you can’t be there for everyone every time and if you drain yourself completely, it can lead to not being there for anyone at all. Learn to have boundaries and cultivate the habit of saying NO to outings you don’t want to attend, projects you don’t like, or favors you do not feel up to. It can feel bad when you are not able to be there always for someone but you also have to make sure that you are able to do it happily rather than do it grumbling and missing out on the blessings that comes for a good act. Be true to yourself and your limits. You’re only human

3. Rest is Good: Holidays, Vacation, Weekends… you deserve to rest and when you can you should make plans too. Reset is a way to help you become fully recharged. If your head is hurting or you feel tired, take a rest. Feel sleepy, take a nap. You are not lazy for needing a break. It’s your body’s way of telling you that it’s been running at full speed for far too long. Take the time to relax. It is only one life

Listen to your body.