Every now and then, life can be too overwhelming. Perhaps you've worked for two weeks straight without a day off, or there is so much to do. Between keeping up with the kids and maintaining the house, you haven't had a minute to yourself. Yes, no matter our station in life, we all have jobs and responsibilities. And we should be grateful for them.
I also know that many people are working extra hard these days to make ends meet. Even so, if your entire focus is on bringing home the bacon, the sizzle and the smell won't be that enticing. To get the most out of life, you may have to remember how to kick back and enjoy the smell of breakfast in the morning, so to speak.
If life has got you in a bind, give yourself a day off. I like to call it a mental health day, because the idea is to create some emotional breathing room and allow you to clear your mind. This one day can be a life saver. It can inspire you and provide a whole new perspective on things. This is not a day to clean out the garage or go job hunting. This is a day to free your mind and heart of worries and hurts and to get away from it all, whatever that means to you. We all function better after we've had a vacation—even if it is just for one day.
Sometimes, our minds get overloaded. With all the clutter, it can be difficult to think straight. When you get this way, just making out the grocery list can be a major challenge. When simple things become complicated, recognize that your mind needs a break.
One of my favorite ways to decompress is to take a drive. Visit a favorite spot or try somewhere new. Just get in your car and go. You could even take a train or bus ride and let yourself daydream while someone else does the driving and navigating.
Once you reach your destination, get out and look around. Stretch your legs, do some exploring, or maybe grab a bite and put your feet up before heading home. It may not sound exciting, but the idea is to rest your brain so it can start performing at peak capacity once again. If you're worried about losing time at work, remember that the week between Christmas and New Year's is usually very slow. You should be able to find at least one day for yourself.
Taking the day off may seem like a small thing, but put enough small things together, and you can create a very nice life.
By Barton Goldsmith, Ph.D.
Award-winning psychotherapist, syndicated columnist and radio host, Barton Goldsmith, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized counselor, author and speaker, who has appeared on and been interviewed and quoted by all the major television networks, numerous radio shows and national magazines like Cosmopolitan and Family Circle. Since 2002, his weekly column, "Emotional Fitness," which is syndicated by Scripps-Howard News Service, has run in The Ventura County Star, The Chicago Sun-Times, The Orange County Register, The Detroit News, The Cincinnati Post, The San Diego Union-Tribune and more than 250 other newspapers, giving him a readership in the millions. In addition, his popular monthly business column has appeared in more than 200 other publications. Most recently, he is the author of 100 Ways to Boost Your Self Confidence.
- People:
- Barton Goldsmith