Here's Why You Should Take A Mental Break

The Brain is a very powerful tool and functions better then any computer system ever could. The same way you shut down your Mac computer so it can rest and re-boot when it needs too, is the same way you have to shut down your brain and rest. Your brain controls everything in your body. It controls your organs, your thoughts, it tells you when to speak and when to shut- up. The brain is one of the most sophisticated organs in the body. You can't live without a brain. People can survive without a kidney, a liver, a limb, and even live with an artificial heart, but you can't survive without a brain. This is why it is so important to give the brain the rest it needs to function properly.

If you don't give the brain rest and take time for you to relax , then you will experience mental burn out. Are there times you are feeling overwhelmed, sad, or can't properly think? You may be experiencing what's called mental burnout. You may need a  complete mental break. I can personally share with you that I have experienced those times. I have learned to listen to my body when I need to take time for me and rest my brain. This is the time when I have to disconnect from social media, turn off my cell phone, and decrease my activity to rest my mind. I have worked in the nursing profession for years and I seen my nursing colleagues take a mental health day. I can remember one nurse taking an entire week off for a mental health break. I was naïve to it when I first entered the nursing profession, but after getting a few years under my belt, I understood exactly why that nurse took time off. If you work in a high stressed environment a mental health day is definitely something you should consider regularly. I work with women leaders who are at the top of their game professionally but don't take as much time for themselves. A mental health day is what more women in business need to rejuvenate, refresh and relax. When Women leaders commit to this, they can operate at even a greater level.

I want to share with you some strategies to help you relax the brain and to rest your body.

• The first thing I would suggest is to clear your calendar and learn to say NO! I know this can be hard especially for us as women, but we have to stand firm and do this. Whenever you over commit yourself it is always a stressor. Learn to say "No" and not feel guilty about it.
• The next strategy I want to share would be to turn off all electronics and disconnect from social media. This will really give your brain time to rest. Social media is a great tool, but it can also be a very overwhelming one. I recently attended The Sage Summit 2016 in Chicago, IL and Ashton Kutcher was one of the Keynote Speakers. He shared how he takes time for himself by putting his IPhone on "Do Not Disturb". He did say  that his only exception is when his wife calls. LOL! I thought that was great, because we all need to do this sometimes. When you think about how many text messages, DM, and emails you get in a day, it can be a bit overwhelming if you don't create boundaries for yourself.
• Lastly, I would like to share a simple strategy but yet powerful one, which is to get enough sleep. I hear women leaders say to me all the time that they only get 5 or 6 hours of sleep. Why? There is nothing that important that should stop you from receiving adequate sleep. How can you function and operate at the highest level possible if you don't have enough rest. Not having enough sleep not only causes brain overload, but it can also predispose you to chronic disease. This is very important! You should at least have 7-8 hours of sleep a night in order to remain healthy. I know this can be hard if you have a lot to do but you have to schedule in your sleep time.Trust me, you will feel so much better if you have enough sleep. Taking naps is a practice as well.

 These are just some tips I want to share with about resting your brain so you can be in optimal health. The brain is not made to multi-task and go non stop. Remember it is just like that computer or car that you take in to get serviced. Your body and your brain is the same way. If you want your body to be strong and not give out on you, then you must take care of it.
Remember, Healthy Women Lead! Right?
What are you doing to rest your brain and give yourself a mental break? I want to hear from you. Leave your comments below,

Until Next Time,
Nurse Priscilla Williams
#HealthyWomenLead
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