4 Subtle Signs Your Body Is Telling You To Take A Break

We get it – taking time out for yourself can feel near impossible when you’re trying to keep on top off all the things (meal prep! Family drams! An overflowing inbox!) But here’s the thing: our bodies have a knack for letting us know it’s time to slow down (even if we’re not 100 per cent listening).

Here, we’ve rounded up 4 subtle cues you’ve been burning the candle at both ends:

You're just...angry

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You don't know why or how you're angry, but you are. If someone's standing on the wrong side of the escalator and you're contemplating physically moving them so you can get past...you know it's probably time to take a step back - literally.

Lack of sleep, not eating enough (especially nutrient dense wholefoods) and being disorganised are top anger triggers. Here are 3 tips for you to try starting from today that will instantly help calm your inner Cruella:

- Get to bed 1hr earlier every night.

- Block out one day on the weekend to get healthy meals prepped for the next few days if not the week.

- Put your to-do list in order of importance.

You're gaining weight around your midsection

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Cortisol is an essential hormone produced in the body that responds to stress and danger, controls blood pressure and reduces inflammation. In a stressful event or when exercising, the body releases cortisol to help deal with the situation. Too much can cause acne, excess fat around the midsection and even hair on your face. Although exercise plays a massive role in keeping stress at bay, too much high-intensity exercise can cause levels to soar so make sure you're including some slower paced activities like walking, yoga and stretching throughout the week.

Even walking feels like an effort

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If you're feeling particularly sluggish even after plenty of rest and a long sleep, it's a sign you may be deficient in certain nutrients (such as iron and vitamin-b,) so getting a blood test is helpful to determine what you're missing. Many diets cause added stress to the mind & body which can mess around with hormone health, so as well as physically resting, eating a variety of foods from all the food groups will instantly energise you & be far more beneficial than loading up on supplements.

You're not getting anything done

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SO busy you don't know where to start? Just saying the word 'busy' can make you instantly feel the connotations related to it; strained, pre-occupied and manic. Your mindset is linked directly to productivity levels, so when that mountain of work is not getting done, it's probably because your brain is full. Clearing your mind may feel counterproductive but realistically, it's the only way you're going to get on top of it. Whether that’s a 10minute guided meditation on the Headspace app, going for a walk on your lunch break *without your phone*, or booking a weekend away - make de-cluttering your head a priority.

Desperately in need of a break? A Luxury Female Fitness Weekend by Lean Bean Fitness™ will def do the trick. For more info check out @leanbeanretreats

Lizzie Bland

An ex-professional dancer turned female fitness expert, Lizzie Bland is the founder of Lean Bean Fitness & Lean Bean Retreats. You'll regularly find her teaching at the studio (be it a pilates, barre, yoga, boxing or pre/post natal exercise class) along with her sidekick/better half/assistant Artie the toy poodle.