Sometimes, The Best Thing You Can Do Is Pause!

Because constantly running isn't the same as moving forward.

Ever felt like your brain has 100 tabs open?

Emails. Meetings. Messages. A colleague asking, “Hey, quick chat?” (Spoiler: It’s never quick.)

By the time it’s 4 PM, you’ve had three cups of coffee, answered 47 messages, sat in 5 back-to-back meetings — and still haven’t started the task you actually needed to finish.

Sound familiar?
You’re not alone. Most of us are running on autopilot — stuck in a cycle of doing, doing, doing.

But here’s a simple truth that we often forget:
👉 You’re allowed to pause.
👉 You’re allowed to slow down.
👉 You don’t need to earn your rest.

In fact, sometimes, the best thing you can do for your productivity, your mental clarity, and your emotional health is to simply pause.

Why do we feel guilty for taking a break?

Somewhere along the way, we started associating "busy" with "successful." We think:

• If we slow down, we’ll fall behind.
• If we pause, someone else will get ahead.
• If we rest, we’re being lazy.

But ask yourself: Are you actually being productive, or just busy?

• Pausing isn’t quitting.
• Pausing isn’t being unproductive.
• Pausing is being smart.

Real talk: What does "pause" even mean at work?

No, it doesn’t mean taking a month-long vacation in the middle of the financial year (though we wish!).

It means building intentional breathers into your day.

Here’s what a “pause” might look like:

• 10 minutes of quiet after a loud meeting
• A short walk around the office building between two big tasks
• Closing your eyes for 2 minutes and focusing on your breathing
• Not checking emails during lunch
• Taking a real break — not just scrolling LinkedIn or emails on your phone

These moments may feel small, but they can completely reset your mental state.

What happens when you don’t pause?

Let’s be honest — we’ve all been there.

When you keep pushing without stopping:

• Your brain becomes foggy
• You start making silly mistakes
• You feel irritated or anxious
• You lose interest in your work
• You feel drained — emotionally and physically

This is how burnout starts. Not with one big event, but with a slow build-up of unprocessed stress.

By the time you notice it, you're already exhausted.

And trust us — recovering from burnout takes a lot longer than taking a 5-minute pause.

What actually happens when you do pause?

Let’s flip the story.

Pausing helps you:

• Think clearly and make better decisions
• Boost creativity and problem-solving
• Feel calmer and in control
• Improve communication (less snapping, more listening)
• Connect with yourself and what really matters

You might even find that you finish your work faster — because you're not rushing or distracted.

Think of it like this…

Imagine you’re driving a car up a hill.

Would you keep pressing the accelerator without checking the fuel, engine, or brakes?

No.....You’d pause to refuel, cool the engine, and give it a rest.

Your body and mind are no different.

Let’s make this real: Corporate-style pausing ideas

You don’t have to do anything fancy. You just have to be intentional.

Here are a few super simple ideas:

1. Take a real coffee break

Not one where you take your laptop to the pantry. Step away. Sip. Breathe. Do nothing for 10 minutes.

2. Add “buffer time” between meetings

Even 5 minutes between back-to-back meetings can help you transition, reset, and refocus.

3. Use breathing tools or mindfulness apps

Just 2 minutes of deep breathing can calm your nervous system. (Check out The Wellness Corner app, by Truworth Wellness — it's built for busy people like you.)

4. Walk while you talk

Turn phone meetings into walking meetings. Movement helps refresh your thoughts.

5. Try a “mini-journal”

At the end of your day, write down:

• What drained you?
• What gave you energy?
• One thing you’ll pause for tomorrow

Worried someone will “notice” you pausing?

That’s the inner guilt talking.

Here’s something to remember:

High performers aren’t the ones who work non-stop. They’re the ones who know when to stop.

Pausing doesn’t make you look weak — it shows you’re in control.

Also, when leaders and managers normalize breaks, it gives the entire team permission to take care of themselves too.

Final thoughts: You’re not a robot

You weren’t built to work non-stop.

You need breaks. You deserve rest. And you’re allowed to take a moment to catch your breath — no explanation needed.

So the next time you feel overwhelmed, instead of saying:

“I need to push through this,”
try saying:
“Let me pause for a second. I’ll come back stronger.”

💬 Let’s make it interactive!

• How often do you pause during your workday?
• When was the last time you stepped away from your desk just to breathe?

Take a moment right now and do it.
Even reading this blog is a pause. 😉

Bonus tip: Pause to check in with yourself

Ask yourself:

• Am I tired or just distracted?
• Do I need a break or a change of task?
• What can I pause today that will make tomorrow better?
• Sometimes, a 3-minute pause can prevent a 3-week breakdown.