With January and the majority of February been and gone, the hard slog that is the start of a new year is almost over, and with that, it’s time to think about taking a break. We’re all guilty of neglecting ourselves once in a while, and it can be difficult to pull yourself away from your job, the day to day routine and the demands of everyday life.

Sometimes it can feel like taking a break means you are avoiding responsibilities, but that simply isn’t the case. It’s extremely important to give yourself the time to step away, to support both your physical and mental wellbeing.

Why should you take a break?

Taking a break from day to day life gives you space and interrupting the everyday cycle can restore not only your physical energy levels but your mental energy too. There is evidence to suggest that everyday stress can decrease creativity, and can cloud our judgement, meaning we aren’t working to our full potential. Being stuck in a rut, either in work or in routine can therefore lead to detrimental effects, yet taking a break gives you the chance to come back revitalised and with fresh ideas.

How do you know when you should take a break?

Life has a funny way of sneaking up on us, and you can go from feeling perfectly fine to being hit by a brick wall in a matter of days. It’s important to be able to recognise your own personal signs as to when you’re at risk of being overwhelmed, in order to avoid an unnecessary burnout. Signs that you’re in need of a break include lack of energy, trouble sleeping and poor judgement, all of which can be reduced after taking time away. It could well be that you are very aware of your own personal signs of struggle and know periodically throughout the year at which points you require a break in order to perform at your best. 

Where should you take a break?

Whether you’re wanting to take a break from work, the hustle and bustle of the city, or just everyday routine, there are a range of routes that you can go down. Having a holiday doesn’t have to mean going abroad, in fact going abroad can often cause unnecessary stress within itself. A UK spa break or staycation is the perfect way to indulge in some me-time, with little preparation time required. If city life has been taking its toll, look for locations that are the stark opposite, with countryside escapes favoured. Within the UK, the Lake District has a reputation for being extremely relaxing, and far enough away from the temptation of popping back into a city. For the ultimate mindful break, there are a range of Lake District Cottages from Lakelovers which are perfect for a serene and private hideaway, to give you space and time to rejuvenate.

If taking a break away simply isn’t possible right now, it’s still important to take time away from work and everyday life. If you’re staying at home, make sure you set time aside to go out and about, be it for morning walks or a coffee with friends, to ensure you’re avoiding the everyday life tasks that can become so mundane.

Taking a step back from city life and booking a trip away for some “me time” is an important decision to be made, and something we should all be better at, in order to give ourselves the opportunity to relax and revitalize, even just once in a while.

We’re very proud to bring you this feature in association with Lakelovers. For more inspiration for your days off, please pay a visit to our lifestyle page.