How many times a week do you give yourself time to take a break? In North America, there’s such a pervasive culture of go, go, go – of “busy” and “productive” being good for us. Many people derive a sense of importance from how much work they have, and to them, taking a break may be seen as counter-productive or a luxury.
I am definitely guilty of the above a lot of the time! Because I’m self-employed, the more work I take on, the more money I earn for myself and my family. When you have a mortgage, bills, and other responsibilities, refusing work that is a fit may be tough to do. But, now that I’ve been working for myself for 2 years, I’ve also learned (perhaps the hard way) the importance of taking a break and having more work/life balance (in fact, it was one of my intentions for 2019). So, when SunRype approached me about their Take 10 Challenge, I was allllll about it!
What’s the SunRype Take 10 Challenge?
These days, health really is wealth. Giving your body and mind a break contributes to better mental and physical health. Research has shown that regular, intentional breaks during the work day decrease stress and fatigue, enable creativity, and actually increase productivity and overall well-being. Most days, my ‘lunch break’ involves me quickly shoveling food into my mouth that I’ve ordered from a delivery app, while working away on my laptop. On the other hand, people who step outside or leave their desk for a real lunch break come back better able to deal with workplace stress, both in the short-term and long-term.
The idea behind SunRype’s Take 10 Challenge is simple: whether it’s 10 seconds or 10 minutes, we all need a break. Okay, maybe 10 seconds is not long enough, but I personally LOVE the underlying message of this movement! You should treat yourself to a Take 10 moment, and do something that makes you happy. What would you do with your Take 10 moment?
How (and Why) I’m Going to Take 10?
I’ve gladly taken on the SunRype Take 10 Challenge by planning to take at least 1 long lunch break per week. Now that the weather’s nice, I look forward to getting outside more often and smelling the fresh air! Apart from the benefits this will bring me, there’s another big reason why I’m going to take 10 every week: my puppy, Douglas.
We consider Douglas to be like our child. He’s honestly the sweetest pup and has brought so much joy to our lives. But, when it gets busy, I feel guilty for the lack of time I have for him during the day. I wish I could take him on longer walks or bring him to the park. So, I’ve decided my weekly Take 10 moment is going to be dedicated time for Douglas and me, with no distractions, no obligations, and no notifications!
SunRype recently launched a new Pink Grapefruit flavour to their SunRype Slim beverage line, but cranberry is still my fave. At only 10 calories per serving (250mL), I can enjoy guilt-free, without worrying about it affecting my health and fitness goals! While SunRype Slim has no artificial flavours, colours, or aspartame, it does not sacrifice on taste! It’s something I truly enjoy and feel good about putting in my body! If you want to try the new SunRype Slim flavours, you can find them in the non-refrigerated juice aisle of your local grocery store.
Since my Take 10 moment is going to be once a week, I don’t mind putting a little extra effort into what I pack. I bring a blanket, a book, some snacks to eat, and of course, some SunRype Slim to wash it all down with! I also bring Douglas’s favourite ball, to toss around to him at the park.
You don’t have to make your Take 10 moment an elaborate thing. Anyone can spare at least 10 minutes for themselves per week. So, I encourage you to do what makes sense for you! Go for a walk on your lunch break. Go to the library or a quiet place to read a book. Take an extended lunch or leave work early on a Friday. The possibilities are endless! For more inspiration, check out SunRype’s RESET x REFRESH guide!
So, what do you say? Will you join me in taking the SunRype Take 10 Challenge?
Photography by: Laura Clarke Photography
*This post has been generously sponsored by SunRype Slim, the opinions and language are my own and in no way do they reflect SunRype Slim.
