What are some effective ways to take time off for self-care without feeling guilty?

I've found setting clear boundaries and communicating openly very helpful in my professional career. I felt guilty about taking time off for self-care. However, when I communicated my needs transparently, my team was supportive. It's crucial to recognize that self-care is essential for overall well-being. Prioritizing it not only enhances personal health but also contributes to increased productivity and a positive work environment. Remember, taking breaks is not a sign of weakness; it's a vital component of maintaining balance and sustained performance.

First of all, no one should ever feel guilty for taking care of themselves first. We have much more to give when we are healthy and strong. Employers save in many areas when employees stay well. They save from paying sick leave, employees are more productive and brain storm better, they save on insurance costs, and the over all morale is better when people feel good. So, let go of the guilt and return to work happy, well rested and motivated! If anyone is angry that you took time off then that is probably a good indicator that they should be doing the same thing. Don't allow others to bother you as negative energy is about the person whos being negative, not the one they are expressing it to. Go take time off and feel good about it!

In my experience, it helped to set boundaries like no communication when on vacation, no calls after 5 pm and no checking emails over the weekend. You need your job to help fund your life, your job is not your life. If you see your supervisors doing these things but preaching balance, run. They don’t respect their own boundaries (if they have any) let alone respecting yours.

Take the time off! You earned it! There are no awards or accolades for working without a break. You work hard and you deserve to take care of yourself. When you don’t take time for yourself, you are setting the expectation that you will always be available and you’ll likely get more work dropped on you. Burnout is real and death is unavoidable. Enjoy life and enjoy those you love, because we never know how long we have. Our tombstones won’t say HERE LIES THE HARDEST WORKING PERSON IN THE WORLD. They will mourn you for a minute and replace you in a second. If you work for a company that frowns on those who take their earned PTO, run as fast as you can! They don’t deserve you! Your health and well-being is a priority. No guilt!

I agree. There is only one you! It’s important to time away to rest, restore, renew and refresh. If you don’t, your body has a way of getting your attention. Don’t wait until you’re burnt out. Choose to take time for yourself. You’ll come back refreshed and ready to move forward renewed and better for yourself and others.

You earned this time, take it. Absolutely no work communication at all. Enjoy being off! It’s not your responsibility to check in or make sure that one last thing gets done while out.

In my experience…most of us women are conditioned to feel “guilt” around rest. On paper, we know the powers of restorative rest, but when it comes down to it … there is that inner voice doing the nagging. (1) Affirmations help in reshaping how we think. (2)’You are worthy and deserving’ are important reminders. (3) Don’t expect overnight changes but celebrate those small moments where guilt didn’t have a voice. (4)Talk to others and hear about their strategies. (5)Figure out what works for you and what is your definition of disconnect and recharge.

Nobody should make you feel guilty for taking time off for self care, yourself included. Self care and reflection are sacred arts sadly forgotten in today’s busy, “must be productive every waking second”, way of living. In order to have external success one must take care of their internal household first.

I now put as much effort into planning my own day off as I do planning for others. I make sure my self care day is booked, deposits paid if needed to fully tie myself into the commitment of ME TIME. Making use of OOO messages and maybe adjusting your voicemail message to let people know you are uncontactable for a certain amount of time and give alternative people and numbers to contact, also helps... Feel guilty? Start with a small activity for a short amount of time or half day and build up to that full 24 or even 48hr or solid you time! NETWORK LEARN GROW