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Being honest with yourself that<br />
you need a break can make you<br />
stronger, and healthier, in the<br />
long run. Convincing ourselves<br />
we must go into work, that we’re<br />
letting people down, that we’re<br />
letting ourselves down, avoids<br />
focusing on the real issue. Plus,<br />
hiding behind a mask can be<br />
exhausting – and it’s bound to<br />
slip at some point. Clare sums it<br />
up: “Listen to your body. It knows<br />
what is best, and it is trying to tell<br />
you something important.”<br />
2. REEVALUATE YOUR<br />
GOALS AND WORKLOAD<br />
If you’re unwell, but believe that<br />
a sick-day is out of the question<br />
because you can’t possibly miss<br />
a day of work, it could be time<br />
to take a closer look at what’s on<br />
your plate. The world shouldn’t<br />
stop if you need a day or two<br />
to recover, and if it feels like it<br />
will, it might even be the level<br />
of responsibility on your plate<br />
contributing to your poor health.<br />
Ask yourself: is what I want to<br />
do realistic? Will I burn out, or<br />
make myself ill trying to achieve<br />
it? Am I setting myself up for<br />
disappointment if I don’t reach<br />
my goal? Or is it a case of realistic<br />
goals, but overwhelming myself<br />
by trying to achieve too many<br />
things all at once? If the answer<br />
is yes to any of these, it could<br />
be worth reevaluating whether<br />
pushing yourself like this is worth<br />
it – more often than not, the<br />
answer will be no. And if that’s<br />
the case, it could be time to speak<br />
to your boss, HR, or colleagues<br />
about your workload and any<br />
support you need. Working until<br />
you burn out shouldn’t be a goal,<br />
or something that should earn<br />
anyone praise. Our number one<br />
goal should be to stay healthy.<br />
3. WE ALL STRUGGLE<br />
Deep down, everyone struggles<br />
for one reason or another,<br />
whether they like to admit it or<br />
not. Looking like you’re always<br />
keeping it together isn’t reality.<br />
Everyone has a persona they<br />
68 | September <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>happiful</strong>.com