It may sound surprising to hear that your body needs a break every 90 to 120 minutes throughout the day. Why does that shock us? In many ways, it’s because we might not be aware of our body throughout the day. If you feel like you’re on autopilot, plowing through the day and turning to coffee instead of to rest when your energy is waning, learning the art of resting (even for a brief moment) can reap huge benefits.  Learn to notice signs of imminent energy flagging (i.e., restlessness, yawning, hunger, and difficulty concentrating).

By listening to your body’s physical cues, you might sense that your body wants to get up, stretch, go for a walk or just take some deep breaths. Our bodies and brains don’t work effectively if they are never given a chance to recover. And if we’re running around from 8-5 (and usually after the work day is over, too!), we will quickly suffer from burn out and won’t ever get a chance to hear ourselves think.

If your body is pleading with you to take a break today, don’t run over to the coffee pot for another cup. Take a few minutes to step away from the computer, do some stretches, take five deep breaths, lie down on the floor, walk around the block, or meditate.  Consider your body for what it is– a miracle and a remarkable instrument. Don’t ignore it, bully it, or demand in the impossible from it.