I am a very active and productive person. Work and creation are fulfilling and exciting for me. Exactly because I have been like this for many years, I know how vital rest is in order to stay healthy and balanced.

Towards the end of August, then, I took a break and travelled to Wales. It’s my fourth or fifth time going; there’s always new places to discover and explore! This time, we drove more towards the centre and the south, through many hills and wide valleys. The cliffs can make it a little scary to drive around, but they are also the reason Wales has really beautiful waterfalls.

The one we visited, which can be reached after a bit of a trek, was amazingly tall. It’s possible to walk behind the fall itself, seeing the world through a water curtain. How beautiful! I put my feet in the cold water, too, and it was very refreshing. We also went to the beach and had a long moment of true peace and quiet. In terms of man-made wonders, there were plenty of things to see, including a handful of castles and historical cities. Welsh people were, as always, kind and welcoming.

One particular benefit of breaks, that I experienced during this trip, was that I suddenly could think of solutions to problems that had been plaguing me for a while. It was like my mind unclogged! When you look at things from a different perspective, they can look surprisingly simple. So, if you tend to feel like you can’t give yourself a break until you crack a problem that’s keeping you awake at night, I’m here to tell you that you’re only hurting yourself. There’s a reason why it’s common wisdom to sleep on a decision. When the mind isn’t knee-deep in the situation any longer, we can see the forest for the trees and decide what’s the best course of action.

That said, a break is more than not checking your e-mail after 5pm or sleeping in on Sundays. It’s a change of routine and scenery that allows your brain and body to disconnect from the pressure of your normal life. Even if you don’t have the chance to drive several hours and submerge your feet at the base of a waterfall, every few weeks you need to rest for more than a day. It can be at the local park, at the house of friends or relatives, or exploring the touristic spots of your nearest city. What matters is that you enjoy and experience time, instead of tracking it by constantly looking at the clock.

I hope you had the chance to do just that this summer. If not, autumn holidays can be just as lovely!