What do you do when you need a break?

[Noideawhatshappening]

Really rough few months including a bereavement, a miscarriage and now been notified about a potential redundancy.

I've always thought people were exaggerating before about the need for a break but I feel down, trapped and desperate to get out of this slump. I have no motivation, I'm not enjoying anything I usually would, can't concentrate enough to read or watch TV and haven't got the energy for a run or the gym.

We don't have all the money in the world but do have a small rainy day fund available. It's just DP and I at home.

I should mention that we have a holiday booked in September.

What do you do when you feel like this? Book a last minute holiday? Take some leave and hide at home? Throw yourself into family stuff to take your mind off things? Organise some therapy? Something else?

Therapy is great, and I can't recommend it highly enough -- it's really helpful to have a weekly hour which is only about you and your state of mind. But in the short term, it's also absolutely exhausting. I had to switch my sessions to a time where I didn't have classes afterwards because I was wiped. So maybe as a longerterm thing? And you may need to shop around to find the right person.

But if you're exhausted now -- I'd suggest going somewhere beautiful by yourself for a couple of days, somewhere you can be outdoors, but don't have to, somewhere where you can sit somewhere quietly and have something beautiful to look at. I'm not in the UK, but if I need a solo break, I go to either a Buddhist retreat centre where I can rent a little cottage with an astonishing view, and dip in and out of meditations, or a little hut by a gorgeous beach which tends to be quiet.

Take a day off and if you can afford it (and enjoy that sort of thing!) treat yourself to a massage.

Chuck your stuff in the car, very early and drive to the beach. Eat chips

If I had leave o could take I would - a day or two at home sorting out anything that was annoying , and some hobby including exercise time or day trips out

For me it’s always book a last minute holiday, even if it means dipping into savings. A rainy day fund is there for… rainy days! And there’s nothing rainier than burnout and losing motivation / joy for life.

Therapy.

Day out somewhere completely different - no plans, just go do something. Give yourself time to think.

Oh I would just do the gym even if I didn't want to - force myself just like brushing teeth and having a shower

Go on holiday. Sun, rest and good food will help you reset.

The weather looks like it's finally going to improve. How do you feel about going for some gentle walks to local or larger parks just to get out in nature for a couple of hours a day?

Wander around and listen to the birds, watch the ducklings, that sort of thing?

Get ice creams and just wander and chat, buy posh nibbles from somewhere like M&S and have a picnic?

Or the MN cliche spa day or break? Going away properly is good but you've got to pack and arrange things like airport parking etc so even a package where most things are done for you still comes with necessary admin.

I go to a nearby spa (it's expensive, so I always ask for vouchers for my birthday and Christmas! I also take time out with friends when I can (off on a spa day this weekend!). It's much needed.

Some good ideas thank you. I'm hoping the weather does get a little better.

Stuck between not wanting to be irresponsible and spend money when facing a redundancy vs struggling to concentrate/sleep/get anything done.

It all happens at once doesn't it.

If you don't want to spend money, just get out into nature. Go for a walk surrounded by fields or trees. See the wildflowers popping up. Maybe spot some spring lambs. It's good for the soul.

if redundancy is on the cards this may not be the best advice, unless you have something else lined up or will get a reasonable sum. But if you hadn’t said that I’d have said get signed off for a couple of weeks. Honestly as a manager I’d rather someone did that than struggle.

or take a day to do something different to get some perspective. Preferably involving nature and walking. Or having a laugh with mates. It’s all about perspective.

I second going out for a leisurely walk or even a cycle ride. Take a picnic, watch the clouds, birds and trees moving with the wind.

If you live near a nature reserve or national park, take a day off to avoid the weekend crowds.