Take a Break

Take a Break

Well. I had taken a Break from the weekly column of Monday Musings for a variety of reasons. However, the last few weeks the kind of response that I have got from readers, friends and well wishers has been such that I feel it would not be an exaggeration if I honestly admit that there were readers who were actually missing my columns and writings! This may sound like me blowing my own trumpet, well, that’s actually true!! I always feel that to blow a trumpet, you gotta have one. And in case you do have a trumpet, no one else is going to blow it for you. So you better do it yourself!!!

Anyways I was indeed taking a Break from writing and getting back on my reading and thinking. Infact a Break is something that all of us need. It is rejuvenating and helps relax our mind and body. A Break helps us to think better and perform better. Planned relaxation calms anxiety and helps your body and mind recover from everyday rush and stress. Music, a long soak in the bath, or a walk in the park do the trick for some people, but for others it's not so easy. If you feel you need help with learning to relax, try a relaxation or meditation class.
Take a look at a dog when it is resting. Its body is free of tension, its brain has switched off and has gone into peaceful mode. Because of our stressful lives, many of us have lost the ability to do this, so there seems to be a need to relearn it.
The Health Desk of BBC suggests a step by step approach to relaxation. I will share with readers for everyone’s benefit. The way to relax is:
Choose a quiet place where you won't be interrupted.
Before you start, do a few gentle stretching exercises to relieve muscular tension.
Make yourself comfortable, either sitting or lying down.
Start to breathe slowly and deeply, in a calm and effortless way.
Gently tense, then relax, each part of your body, starting with your feet and working your way up to your face and head.
As you focus on each area, think of warmth, heaviness and relaxation.
Push any distracting thoughts to the back of your mind; imagine them floating away.
Don't try to relax; simply let go of the tension in your muscles and allow them to become relaxed.
Let your mind go empty. Some people find it helpful to visualise a calm, beautiful place such as a garden or meadow.
Stay like this for about 20 minutes, then take some deep breaths and open your eyes, but stay sitting or lying for a few moments before you get up.
This routine can be done even in office when you are sitting on your desk. Infact what many people do is to use a good screen save to focus on and as you see the formations float on your computer screen, it does have relaxing results. While driving, it is best to stop, park on the sides and do breathing exercises and relax oneself.

However, if one has been going on one’s work for a long time, one should take a break away from work. May be a vacation with just close family. If possible one should even avoid the cell phone. Most corporations force their employees and senior managers to go for annual vacations. This helps them to relax and come back to work with recharged minds and new ideas. Even in Government, everyone is entitled for 30 days leave but most of us accumulates so much of pending work, mostly personal, that leave is also spent working, albeit in a different way. Leave for relaxation should be sans work. It should be spending time with the family and kids. Playing football, watching a movie or in a Spa. Or reading a book or exploring a place you have never been.

Breaks are a must for people at all levels. I know within a few days students will be completing their Class X and XII exams. They would be longing for a break. But Class XII guys have no respite. I remember my own days, when just after the Board Exams, we used to have all sorts of competitive exams. Engineering, Medical and other courses. With lots of pressure from parents, friends and family to excel and do well. So most students will have to wait for their break. But even within the process of preparing for those crazy JEEs et al, do remember to relax. And the 10 step guide mentioned above can be a good start. It will yield great results.

And if none of the above is applicable to you, the best way to relax is to laugh. Get in touch with one of your friends from school or college who was good at jokes. Talk to him and you will feel happy. And yes Jokes are a good way to relax. Jokes on SMS or mail definitely make you feel happy. And they give break from the routine that one is going through.

I would end today with an old Joke but a Good one. This one is on how Greeks do Business. We have Mr Con talking to his son George.

CON (father): "I want you to marry a girl of my choice."
GEORGE (son): "I will choose my own bride!!"
CON (father): "But the girl is Bill Gates' daughter.."
GEORGE (son): "Well, in that case... okay."
Next CON approaches Bill Gates.
CON (father): "I have a husband for your daughter.... "
Bill Gates: "But my daughter is too young to marry!!"
CON (father): "But this young man is a vice-president of the World Bank."
Bill Gates: "Ah! in that case... okay."
Finally CON goes to see the president of the World Bank.
CON: "I have a young man to be recommended as a vice-president."
President: "But I already have more vice-presidents than I need!"
CON: "But this young man is Bill Gates' son-in-law."
President: 'Ah, in that case... okay."
And that, my friends, is how Greeks do business.
Well, its time to go back to our own Business. Or rather time to take a Break. Wish I could.

Anyways, keep relaxing and planning for your Break!!!

Have a nice week ahead.