We’ve all done it, “burnt the candles at both ends”, put in an all-nighter, prided ourselves on working the 60-hour work week. But was it worth it in the end?
I recognize off the top there are occasions when an emergency happens, a large project fully needs our attention, a key person is sick or the inevitable “black swan” event erupts and our time needs to be focused on finding a solution or getting the project back on track as soon as possible.
However, if that’s our daily, or weekly, ongoing way of attending to our duties, there is clear evidence we need to rethink our schedule.
The proof is quite clear that we need time to rest and restore ourselves. This is true of our physical, mental and emotional well-being.
Physically, our bodies are not meant to be in a sitting position for extended periods of time. Some muscles are over-taxed and others not used at all, causing aches, cramps and circulatory problems. We do need to move. Find a reason to stretch and move, get the blood flowing. That’s good for not only your muscles, but your brain as well. Strong circulation helps with physical and mental fatigue better than that extra cup or coffee or stimulant drink. Physical movement and strengthening is simply all-around good for us.
Mentally, we need stimulation. Yes, we need to be focused on the tasks at hand and bring clarity, but our brain box also needs a break from the intensity and time to relax, even for a few minutes.
Our brain is an amazing tool. It took me a while to recognize and confirm, but like many of you, I wake up the morning with the foundation of a solution at the forefront of my mind. Now that I see that this is possible, I’ll clear my mind of as much “garbage” before going to bed and let my mind ruminate. I don’t intentionally think of the problem, rather I wind down. I’m a golfer and so will often “play” a round of golf at a course I know well (and I don’t cheat!). I rarely get past the third or fourth hole before I’m asleep. In the morning, the full solution may not be in place, but there is often a new point of view that helps me find a solution.
Taking a break strengthens us emotionally. When we have emotional rest, we are better at emotional resilience, mental strength and less susceptible to mood swings. The world around us – social media anyone? – plays on our emotions, causing us to range from euphoria to anger, depression to feeling great. Sensory overload is not a healthy mode to be in on an ongoing basis.
It’s interesting that the Abrahamic faiths all call for a weekly day of rest. A time to set aside the crush of the world around us and focus on our self-health, our loved ones and preparing for the challenges of the next session of work. A lesson we could all apply to our lives.
While much is made of younger generations and their self-focus on the hours of work meeting their personal needs rather than us meeting the needs of our career, perhaps the pendulum has simply swung the other direction from the work routine that so many of us have maintained for most of our careers. Pendulum swings are usually too far at the extremes, but the middle average often works for the majority.
If you haven’t already built real rest into your schedule, perhaps now is the time to re-evaluate.
Dave Quist
Principal
