This week was pretty much about conversations on the importance of breaks for me. A friend wasn't able to take all their much-deserved week offs after working for 10 days straight (The office works 7 days a week). Another friend was asked to work when they were on a 6-day break. These conversations have inspired today's issue of Dear You.
If you had known me five years ago, you would have known a Saumya who would think ten times before taking a break. I would be someone who'd not stop working until it was all done and dusted. But today, it has all changed. There's has been a major change in my thinking.
If I'm feeling unwell today, I would prefer to take a day off from work so that I can go back healthier tomorrow instead of forcing myself to work today and then taking a longer break later when I’m in much worse health.
But it's not just about our physical health. Our mental health should also be counted, right?
Even though I am someone who doesn't enjoy social interaction a lot, staying at home for the last nine months definitely took a toll on my mental health. I had been delaying taking a break due to the rescheduling of my exams. In November, when the exams got postponed to next year, I felt that I should take the break as soon as it was possible. My manager and I mutually decided that I'll take 5 days off in December. At that time, we didn't know the future held a much longer break for me.
In late November, I felt unwell. I took a day off from work thinking that I’d be able to work better tomorrow. It seemed like a regular viral. But it was not. My family had contracted COVID-19. While I thought I'd be able to work with mild symptoms, when our reports came the next day, my body decided to give up. Getting up from the bed became a task in itself. I even had 102.5 F fever that day. Naturally, I had to take more offs from work.
I am happy that I got Corona
Fortunately, in the days to come, there were no other issues except body weakness. As we were getting used to the disease, I realised that the virus was here to give us a break. Just like nature healed when the whole world went into a lockdown, our bodies and minds also needed to heal.
Not that I didn't know of this earlier, but experiencing it first-hand lets you understand things better.
"I'm sorry",
"It was unfortunate",
"Uff.."
When I heard senior managers saying this to me, I asked them not to be sorry.
"I am happy that I got Corona," this is what I told them instead.
Needless to say, they were shocked.
I explained how Corona gave me the break I was seeking. All I did in those 13 days away from work was relax. Relax my body. And relax my mind.
"A mental health break at the cost of physical health is not right," they pointed out.
I agree with them. But I can't deny that COVID-19 gave me the much-need break.
Of course, there were other reasons too of me being happy about contracting the virus, but I'll leave them for some other time.
———
It's Sunday today.
I want you to take a break from your regular routine today.
If you have commitments, don't worry. Try and manage to take out at least 5 minutes for yourself today.
Read.
Write.
Sing.
Dance.
Draw.
Exercise.
Breathe.
Just breathe.
Or do whatever you wanna do.
Before we step into the hustle-bustle of work again, take that break you've been delaying.
Here's a little breathing exercise I recently came across. I hope it helps you!
And here’s a glimpse of how I took a break this week. I drew a place that gives me peace - my garden.
Another self-care activity you might want to try. Make a list of 5 things you want to hold onto and 5 things you want to let go:
How was your week?
When was the last time you took a break that made you feel relaxed completely?
Do you find it difficult to take mental health breaks?
Feel free to share your feelings and thoughts. I'm listening...
Yours
Saumya
Hi! I'm Saumya - a journalist, blogger and poet. Souls that Listen is a safe space for all. With Dear You, I hope to share our Dil ki Baatein...Dil se Dil Tak.
If you have any questions, suggestions or requests, feel free to hit the "Reply" button. I would love to hear from you! You can also write to me at soulsthatlisten@gmail.com
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If you would like to read the previous issues of Dear You, click here.
This is absolutely true. Breaks are very important to gain back your sanity. I often take breaks to disconnect myself from the social media world. This made sense to me:)