As a fitness lover and entrepreneur it can be hard to know when to slow down a bit and maybe even take a break. I was recently forced to take a break due do to health issue and it was not easy. Mentally, I kind of struggled to realize that things are going to be different for a while and at the time I didn't know how long that was going to be. Fitness is a huge part of my identity and without it I felt like I lost part of me. Even though this break for me was forced, I still feel like I learned a bit about the importance of taking a break and letting yourself recharge.
A few weeks may be a little longer than most people choose to take a break, but even if that break is 2,3 or 4 days, you can still benefit greatly. One thing I found was it's easy to define yourself by what you do, and there is a difference between what you do and who you are. You ARE a person who loves challenge, implementing discipline, and seeing how far you can take something. Even if you could never do fitness again, you could find another endeavor that lets you express who you are.
So, when should you actually take this break? It's different for everyone. but there comes a time when you may physically or mentally feel fatigued. There are ways to help this physically by implementing smart exercise programming. If you're workouts leave you much more worn out, you can't go as hard in the gym, or it takes longer to recover, it may be time for a break.
Mentally, it's important to monitor your mood, focus, drive, and clarity. It can creep up on you a little at a time, so if somebody close to you mentions something, it may be worth noting.
If you have to, take a few days and just do the bare minimum. Instead of hitting a hard workout, maybe just take a light walk. Instead of grinding for hours on your projects, read a fun book, watch some mindless tv, have a conversation with a loved one, and get some extra sleep.
You may find it weird the first day you skip the gym or turn on the tv instead of your laptop, but just do it. You'll be back to the routine soon enough so just enjoy a little time off.
I was recently thinking about "wasted time" and I usually hate having it, but as the old saying goes, time well wasted isn't wasted at all.
Hope this helps if you are struggling to take that needed break!
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