Do you feel like all you do is work? Like your worth is determined by how many tasks you completed in a day? When somebody asks you how you’re doing, do you say “busy” instead of “good”? It’s ok if you can relate. It’s not your fault, it’s the hustle culture. How can we break free from the hustle, though? Eliza in the musical Hamilton said it best: take a break. Society tells us that a full schedule leads to a successful life, but in reality, a jam-packed schedule is “nothing to brag about,” according to an article on Ellevate. How do we break away from this culture? By taking real breaks. Not scrolling on TikTok, and not necessarily a two-week European vacation, but a true break for your mind; a reminder that our hustle isn’t our whole life. In five minutes or half an hour, here’s how to take a break.
Some musts!
- Put your phone down. I love a good scroll, but it really isn’t a break for your brain. Scrolling means your brain is processing lots of information and stimulation in short spurts of time, which, according to Inspira Health, deteriorates your cognitive health over time. So while it’s fun, if you are looking for a break, putting your phone away is key. Each summer at sleepaway camp, I turn my phone off and leave it at home. It’s one of my favorite weeks partly because I get to be completely disconnected, and I’m not responsible for anything. So, out of sight, out of mind: put your phone away.
- Don’t judge yourself. Maybe your schedule is full because it has to be, but maybe it’s full because it’s packed with the things you enjoy. So while it’s overwhelming sometimes, remember that it’s ok to be a busy person, as long as you have time set aside for you.
- Be disciplined. However this looks for you, whether it be a timer, reminder, block on your calendar, or an accountability partner, take the break for yourself. If you say you want to take a break and then work right through your break, it doesn’t do you any good.
- Be present. If you say you’re taking a break to take a walk, then take the walk; don’t dwell on or worry about something else, if you can help it. Notice the birds, take in all the sounds and smells, and be where your feet are.
If you have five minutes for a break…
- Meditate. This is hard for a lot of people, but sometimes the best way to rest your busy mind is to let your mind be and focus on specific, involuntary things such as breathing and your heartbeat. For meditations, Peloton is a personal favorite app of mine, but YouTube, Spotify, and other podcast platforms also have some great ones.
- Dance it out. According to the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, dancing releases endorphins, the body’s happy hormones. Focusing on the music can also help your brain take a break from thinking about everything else in life. You don’t have to be good at dancing, even just jumping around and flailing your arms is just fine when it comes to releasing stress your body is holding.
If you have ten minutes for a break…
- Go for a walk. I’m not a big runner, but if you are, that’s great, too! According to the American Psychological Association, physical activity, specifically walking, is proven to be good for your mental health. You can listen to music on your walk or you can simply listen to the trees rustling and birds chirping. Just ten minutes spent walking and taking in the world outside of your computer screen can be the break that your mind needs.
- Do a craft project. It doesn’t matter if you’re good at art- I’m not- it’s just a fun thing to refocus your mind on. One of my personal favorite crafts is making cards with layers of paper to mail to my cousins. Making either cards or clay bead bracelets are some of my favorite mindless crafts to do to wind down and remind myself that I am more than my homework.
If you have thirty minutes for a break…
- Paint your nails. I know this one isn’t for everyone, but I love sitting down with a spread of pink and purple polishes to hyperfixate on painting my nails. It’s so relaxing to focus on something rewarding, something I’ll look down at for the following days. Again, you don’t have to be good at it, you just have to be nice enough to yourself to enjoy being bad at it.
- Go for a bike ride. You don’t have to be athletic! Physical activity is good for the mind and can get us out of a work/school rut. Plus, riding a bike is fun; you can become a French girl riding through the countryside to buy a baguette and a book. If you rode a bike when you were young, good news: you’ll pick it right back up! Even if you feel unmotivated to get outside, push yourself to feel the wind as it blows on your face.
- Read a book. Though widely replaced by scrolling, reading can let your mind take a breather from the hustle. The best books for breaks are calm ones, not necessarily murder mysteries, but whatever floats your boat. Remove yourself from the world around you and immerse yourself in the story: each word is there for you.
- Take a bath. They’re not just for babies: light a candle, sprinkle some epsom salts in the warm water, and put your feet up. Let the water surround you as your busy mind takes a load-off. A pro tip is just not to stay in the water for too long or your fingers will get all wrinkly and you can get overheated. But despite that, baths are a really good way to unwind, especially if your hustle requires you to be on your feet or moving around a lot.
- Lay down. You don’t have to go completely to sleep, but just rest your body. It feels good to rest, to lay, to just be right where you are. If this sounds good to you, but your thoughts won’t stop, try meditating while you lay down. Meditation or relaxing music (I like lofi beats) can stop or quiet the never-ending thoughts.
Taking a break is hard, especially when the hustle culture tells us to never stop. But we truly work hard, as a society. Without a break, we’ll burn out. As Dowd-Higgins wrote in her piece on Ellevate that was previously mentioned, “Busy-ness is not a badge of honor.” To take a break isn’t weak, and to have a full schedule isn’t a flex. Don’t follow society’s expectations: take a break and take care of yourself.
