TAKING A BREAK

                                          by Judy Ann Davis

I’m currently on the Isle of Palms in South Carolina and watching the navy blue waves, fringed with white foam, roll in from the ocean. My husband and I decided to escape Central Pennsylvania’s February cold temperatures and spend some time with our son, his wife, and our grandchildren who live in the upper part of the state. The grands are two+ and three+ years old and are so delightful to interact with and watch. I’ve forgotten how active and animated youngsters can be.

For some reason, I can’t seem to get in the writing zone while we’re here. I’ve watched too much television and binged read too many books. I’ve discovered that digital/Kindle devices maybe to my advantage or disadvantage. With only one click, I have the written words instantly pop up in front of me. It allows me to not move from the chair where I’m sitting.

My writing friends tell me that it’s okay to kick back and take a break. Supposedly, breaks distract us so we’re able to focus once again. We need to escape. We need to reduce mental fatigue and boost brain creativity for those times when it’s essential for performance.

But I think I’ve completely zoned out.

Specialists who deal with human behaviors also agree it’s perfectly fine to take a break. It’s essential to higher productivity, energy, concentration, efficiency, creativity, and those things you need to survive. In fact, we need to take them to prevent burnout and stay healthy—whether it’s to escape the pressures of work or to perform any task requiring concentration and long stretches of devoted time.

How do you take a break? A few suggestions include taking a walk, heading outdoors into the fresh air, grabbing a high protein snack, allowing your eyes to refocus by dimming the lights, meditating, or just letting your mind wander.

So right now, I’ve decided to either cruise the internet, looking for a new book to read—or just sitting in the sun and letting my mind wander.

Either of those can’t be too difficult, can they? 

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COURTING BETSY - Book 3 of the Ashmore Brothers Series

  

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