You’re running a business, raising a family, managing a household and trying to find time for family and friends. It’s easy to get stressed out but hard to take a break.
But you deserve one. Today. Tomorrow. And every day after that.
Here are some break-taking ideas:
Take care of yourself physically
Taking care of yourself on a physical level needs to be part of your routine.
- Eat well: Stock up on fresh, wholesome ingredients that you can toss together into simple, delicious dinners for yourself and your family. The right diet will keep you energetic and fueled throughout your busy day.
- Break a sweat: Exercising keeps your stress levels down and may even make you more alert and creative by boosting blood flow to your brain.
- Catch some zzz’s: It’s tempting to use your sleeping time to catch up on housework, but you shouldn’t. Lack of sleep can leave you feeling drained and irritable, and can even lead to serious health problems.
Take little breaks during the day
One of the most effective ways to work is to focus intently on a task for forty-five minutes and then take a fifteen minute break before returning to work.
You may already do this without realizing it. How much time throughout the day do you spend on Facebook or checking emails? When you consolidate these interruptions into intentional breaks, you’ll get more out of them and make your real work times more effective.
Take some big breaks, too
As a mom, you certainly want to take some breaks that involve your family. Go see a movie together, or spend a fun day at home with the kids. Take family-time at least once a week – we recommend two or three. You’ll appreciate the break, and your kids will appreciate the fun now and the memories when they’re grown up.
You also need some breaks from both work and your family. This could be a monthly date night with your husband, or a yearly getaway weekend with your girlfriends.
Take breaks from your business without breaking the bank
One of the most difficult parts of being a mompreneur is that you don’t get paid if you’re not actively working.
As such, you may have trouble taking breaks without feeling like you’re wrecking your family’s finances. A great way to be able to take a business break is to put some of each paycheck into a savings account for the next time you’d like to take a longer break or vacation.
Another good option is to check out small business credit cards that will allow you some floating room for your breaks from your business. A credit card can give you a little financing boost so that you can afford to pay business expenses even if you haven’t made quite as much money one month due to taking a break.
You deserve a break today. Which kind are you going to take?
About the author:
Daniela Baker from CreditDonkey says starting and running a small business can be financially stressful. However, it can certainly be done, especially if you are smart about it. Do your research on different financial options to ensure that you make the best possible decisions for your business.
Daniela Baker
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Thanks, these are great tips! I took a nap yesterday and it was exactly what I needed. Today I had much more energy because of it. There is no guilt in taking a break, we all need them to recharge.
Great post and Happy New Year!
I have over-indulged in relaxing and watching movies this week – I needed it! BUT, I am so nervous that I will not be able to get back into the grind next week —
happy new year, rachel
Good for you, Rachel! Enjoy your break.
You’ll be fine next week. 🙂
Happy New Year!
This post is so timely as I’ve been so overwhelmed with planning things in my head and getting over the month of December.
I’m watching TV all day eating Bon Bon’s in my PJ’s. That’s how I’m taking my break.
Have a great weekend and a Happy New Year everyone!
Hmm…..those “?’s” were supposed to be musical notes. Oh. well…
Enjoy your bonbons, Karen and a BIG happy new year to you! 🙂