Ways to Take Breaks and Step Away on Busy Days

Life can be a lot, and some days it can feel impossible to get ahead. Sometimes, we need to step away or take a break to get some clarity and come back to our to-do’s refreshed and motivated.

Get inspired with these ideas. There are simple ways to step away when there’s a lot going on. There are also ideas to take a break that doesn’t take too much time out of your schedule.

Ways to Take Breaks

Micro-Breaks

• Rest your eyes for a few minutes.
• Take a 1 to 5-minute meditation break.
• Go for a 5-minute walk.
• Don’t look at your screens for 5 minutes.
• Take stretch breaks in between tasks.
• Create a space at home just for you to take a break in.
• Use noise-canceling headphones for a few minutes.
• Step outside and get a few minutes of fresh air.
• Breathe deeply for a few breaths in a quiet space.
• If you’ve been sitting for a while, stand up and move for a few minutes.

Putting Breaks Into Your Schedule

• Create simple daily routines, like making tea.
• Block in breaks from communication to get other things done.
• Block breaks on your calendar.
• Use a timer app for breaks.
• Use reminders for quick 5-minute breaks.

Changing Your Outlook

• Acknowledge the positives of taking a short break.
• In the evening, write down how you felt after taking a short break.
• Reframe a ‘break’ as a ‘recharge’,
• Visualize a better-rested version of yourself.
• Leave sweet ‘take a break’ reminders to yourself around the house.

Communication Ideas

• Tell people you need a quick break.
• Take breaks with other people so you do it together.
• Try to delegate even one simple task if possible.
• Use language like ‘I’m taking a break’ and ‘I’ll do this after my break’.
• Remind yourself you’re not supposed to do it all.

Get the Ways to Take Breaks printable here.

If There’s a Lot Going On

Quick

• Sit in the backyard for 2 minutes.
• Put on uplifting music.
• Take five deep breaths and visualize positive next steps.
• Identify a task you can do right now.
• Put on a video of ocean waves or rainforest sounds and close your eyes for a few moments.

Take a Break

• Sit outside with a coffee or tea.
• Step out for a short walk around the block.
• Look at a framed photo or quote that inspires you.
• Send a message to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while.
• Read something uplifting.
• Take a short no-screen break.
• Open a window and look at nature.

Get Organized

• Make a prioritized to-do list.
• Assign scores to tasks to prioritize.
• Set reminders.
• Declutter your workspace for a few minutes.
• Write down what’s in your head.
• Turn off notifications for a short time.
• Simplify a task into manageable steps.
• Take some time to organize your digital files.

Outlook

• Write in a gratitude journal about spring.
• Smile or laugh to yourself.
• Remind yourself it’s okay to take breaks.
• Reflect on the successes of your year so far.
• Talk kindly to yourself in the mirror.
• Focus on what you can control, right now.
• Remind yourself of your ‘why’.

Relaxing

• Sit in natural light by a window.
• Sit in the garden and listen to the sounds of spring.
• Have a lie down for a few minutes.
• Light a spring-scented candle.
• Try guided meditation.
• Hold stretches for a few minutes.

Calming

• Look at the sky.
• Massage your hands.
• Sit in the backyard for a few minutes.
• Go for a walk to a park or local green space.
• Open a window and sit by it for a few moments.
• Take a break from your screens and sit and be present.

Movement

• Dance to feel-good songs.
• Hold power poses in the mirror.
• Take your dog for a longer walk.
• Stretch in between tasks.
• Try a quick 10-15 minute bodyweight workout at home.
• Go for a quick walk
• Tend to your garden.

Get the If There’s a Lot Going On printable here.