Do you feel like you need to take a break from life? You’re not alone.
Feeling this way is common and an indicator that you’re burnt out, and if you don’t do something about it soon, you might end up depressed and suffer extreme fatigue.
Breaks are crucial for the human body. They are necessary to energize us, reset our mindset, and refocus. Without taking breaks, you’re asking for burnout, which means you’ll end up taking a never-ending break.
I once took a break for two years due to fatigue and constant anxiety. If I had taken consistent daily breaks, I might never have faced those issues.
In this article, I’ll share 50 ways to take a break to give you some ideas on how to spend your downtime. Choose the activities that you feel comfortable with.
Table of Contents
50 Ways to Take a Break
1. Take a short walk outside
Fresh air is refreshing; even just 5-10 minutes outside can reset your energy levels.
2. Enjoy some lunch away from your desk
If you work in an office or at home, it can be hard to take a break from your “work mindset” and grab a bite to eat. Sometimes you might even forget to eat.
One thing most people do is get their lunch and then eat while working. Not only is this unhealthy, but it also doesn’t give you a chance to re-energize. So, try to get out of the office or your home workspace completely if you can. Get a change of scenery and disconnect for a little bit.
Related Post: 50 Quotes About Working Too Much to Inspire You to Take a Break
3. Stretch your body
Even just 5 minutes of stretching can make a big difference in how you feel and help boost both physical and mental energy.
4. Listen to music
Turn on some of your favorite tunes for a few minutes to clear your head, reset your focus, and get back into the groove.
5. Phone a friend
Socialize for a few minutes with someone you haven’t talked to in a while.
6. Write about anything
Jotting down your thoughts gets them out of your head and onto paper, clearing up space for more productive thinking.
Related Post: 10 Productive Things to Do When You Have Nothing to Do
7. Do something creative
Write a poem, doodle on some paper, or simply color in an adult coloring book!
8. Take a power nap
If you’re feeling exhausted, don’t push your body; take 30-40 minutes to rest so that you feel recharged afterward. Never push yourself when your body is begging for rest. Even just power napping for 10 minutes can make a big difference in how you feel.
9. Go outside and appreciate nature
Find a spot outdoors that feels peaceful to you, and just enjoy the scenery for a few moments.
10. Meditate
Find a peaceful place to sit and focus on your breath. Meditation is famously known for helping you relax, recharge and refocus.
11. Spend time with animals
Petting an animal is known to increase serotonin and oxytocin levels in the brain, reducing stress significantly!
12. Daydream
Take some time to think about happy memories, or just let your mind wander.
13. Practice gratitude
Take a moment to appreciate the good things in your life. Even small things like having enough food on the table can make a difference in your mood for the day.
Related Post: 25 Things to Be Grateful for In Your Life Instead of Complaining
14. Take a hot bath or shower
Taking a hot bath or shower helps you relax and clear away any stress. Sometimes when I’m feeling overwhelmed, I take another shower in the afternoon. It never fails to calm and energize me for the rest of the day.
15. Read something inspiring
Read a few pages of an inspiring book to escape the real world for a little bit and get your spirits up!
Related Post: 13 Easy Ways to Develop a Lifetime Reading Habit
16. Do some deep breathing
Breathe in for 3 seconds, hold it for 3 seconds, then exhale for 7 seconds. Repeat this for 5 minutes to reduce stress levels.
17. Play with children
Even if you don’t have any kids of your own, spend some time playing with your nieces and nephews. They can offer a wonderful perspective on life.
18. Take photos
If you’re a photography buff (who isn’t with the advent of amazing phone cameras), take 5-10 minutes and just snap pictures of anything and everything that catches your eye.
19. Play an instrument
Spend some time playing your favorite instrument or learning a new one! It’s a great way to let go of stress and have fun at the same time.
20. Cook or bake something
Take 10-15 minutes out of your day to prepare a yummy treat for yourself. It will make you feel accomplished while also giving you something delicious to enjoy.
21. Exercise
Even just 5 minutes of physical activity like jogging, yoga, or stretching can make all the difference in how you feel, both mentally and physically.
22. Go window shopping
Take some time to browse around the mall or your favorite online stores. Window shopping can be a great way to relax and take your mind off things.
23. Take up a hobby
Spend time enjoying something that you’re passionate about. This could be writing, gardening, painting, or anything that fills you with joy and can help you reset and refocus in no time.
24. Have a cup of tea or coffee
Enjoy your favorite hot beverage while taking 5-10 minutes away from work or other obligations to just wind down and take a break.
25. Listen to an audiobook
Plug in your headphones, turn on an audiobook, and listen away! This is a great way to disconnect while also learning something new.
26. Take an online course in a subject you’re interested in
Taking an online course can help you learn something new while giving yourself a break from your usual tasks and obligations.
Related Post: 6 Doable Tips on How to Start Studying After a Long Break
27. Go for a walk
Step away from your desk for 15-20 minutes and take a leisurely stroll. It’ll help you clear your mind and get some fresh air too.
28. Plan an adventure
Take some time to plan an exciting trip or outing that you can look forward to. Even if it’s months away, something to look forward to can be very helpful in dealing with everyday stresses.
29. Watch a movie or tv show
Unwind after a long day by watching one of your favorite movies or tv shows.
30. Play a game
Play your favorite board or video game. Games are a great way to take your mind off any worries and have some fun too!
31. Paint your nails
Indulge in some self-care by giving yourself a mini spa treatment!
32. Go to a park
Spend 30 minutes to an hour at a park. It’s a great way to clear your head and appreciate the beauty of the world around you.
33. Do something spontaneous
Mix things up by doing something completely out of your routine. It can be anything from going for ice cream on Tuesday instead of Saturday to booking a last-minute plane ticket somewhere you’ve never expected!
34. Talk with someone supportive
Chat with someone who is always there for you and offers genuine support, understanding, and encouragement. When I’m feeling low, my cousin is the first person I speak to. She never fails to make me feel better with her kind and supportive words.
35. Take a digital break
Step away from your phone or computer for an hour. It’ll give you time to focus on yourself and live in the moment without any distractions.
Related Post: What to Do Instead of Going on Social Media (+40 Useful Things)
36. Do something kind for someone else
Take some time out of your day to do something nice for someone else. Even just sending a thoughtful message to a loved one can make you both feel better.
37. Have a picnic
Gather up some snacks, blankets, and maybe even your dog, and go enjoy a picnic outside.
38. Write in a journal
Take a break to write down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Journaling is incredibly therapeutic, and you’ll feel a weight lift off your chest.
39. Read a fiction novel
Non-fiction has its time and place, but nothing can beat the beauty of escaping into another life through fiction.
Immerse yourself in another world by picking up one of your favorite books. Reading especially helps center your mind and lift your spirits when you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed out.
Related Post: 8 Great Alternatives to Reading (If You Can’t Read Another Self-Improvement Book)
40. Go for a bike ride
Get some exercise and fresh air by going for a bike ride. Biking is a fantastic way to clear your mind and switch up your routine.
41. Have an at-home spa day
Set up some candles, put on relaxing music, light some incense, and give yourself a mini spa treatment! It might be just what you need to relax after a long day or week.
42. Take a bubble bath
Taking a warm bath is one of the best ways to destress! Fill the tub with hot water, add your favorite essential oils, light some candles, and enjoy an aromatherapy bath.
43. Do yoga
Yoga is a beautiful way to get some exercise and mindfulness at the same time.
44. Listen to a podcast
Taking a break to listen to a podcast can be educational and entertaining; you can learn something new or just enjoy some lighthearted entertainment.
45. Learn a new skill
Learning might be the last thing you want to do during a break, but it’s actually a great way to refocus the mind and pump you up with good dopamine. Explore courses on Udemy, Skillshare, or take a course from one of your favorite bloggers.
Related Post: How Cheap Dopamine Is Unraveling Your Life: What You Can Do to Stop It
46. Use a meditation app like Calm or Headspace
Meditation apps are a great way to practice mindfulness, relieve stress, and give yourself some time to focus on your inner self. I’ve been experimenting with Calm and Headspace to see which works for me.
These apps have been incredibly beneficial in my life over the last few weeks. I’ve felt a significant decrease in anxiety. I’ll be sharing a review of both apps soon on the blog.
47. Go out for coffee
Solo coffee dates are the best to get out of your usual environment and relax with some much-needed java.
48. Explore your city
Often, we want to explore other cities in the world, but we haven’t seen our own properly. Visit a place in your city that you’ve never been to, or check out a place you haven’t visited in years.
49. Do a social media detox
Too often, we use social media as a distraction or a way to take a break. However, it’s actually doing us more harm.
Taking a break from social media might just be what you need to improve your mood, energy, and mindset.
Related Post: How to Successfully Do a Social Media Detox So You Can Feel More Alive
50. Do nothing at all
Of course, the best way to take a break is to do nothing at all! Give yourself permission to just be in the moment. Resist any urges to fill the silence with noise, social media scrolling, or anything else that might cause more stress or distraction.
Final Thoughts
These 50 ways to take a break are sure to help you feel refreshed, recharged, and ready for whatever life throws at you!
Whether it’s taking a walk in the park, reading your favorite book, or doing something kind for someone else, there’s no better way than taking a break to nurture your mind and body. So take some time for yourself and give these 50 ways to take a break a try! You won’t regret it.
Also, you don’t have to try all 50 of these activities. Choose the ones that most resonate with you to have some downtime.