Trust me girl, I’ve been there. I went to school for nursing, recently divorced and worked as an EMT while I was in school for my Associates of Nursing. After graduation, I found myself smack dab in the middle of a pandemic working over 6 days a week as a nurse while going to school for my Bachelor’s of Nursing. And let me tell you, it was a wild ride. But, I came out on the other side, married to the love of my life and ready to help women like you become the best versions of themselves and build a community that supports them. 🥰

Now, let’s talk about what it was like for me in the thick of it. I felt like I was constantly on the go, trying to balance my work as a nurse with my personal life. I was exhausted, both physically and mentally. I was working long hours, taking care of patients, and trying to be there for my family and friends.

But, here’s the thing, I found that taking short breaks throughout the day actually helped me be more productive. It sounds counterintuitive, but it’s true! I started to take 10-minute breaks every hour or so, just to recharge my batteries and clear my mind. Cause girl, I needed it and, believe me when I say it made all the difference. Now listen, don't knock it before you try it! I know you wanna say, "Malika, please tell me there's more to this!"... Trust me its the little things that you think won't make a big difference that actually do. Just do me a favor and try it!

Just like my girl Missy Elliot says in “Get Ur Freak On”, sometimes we just need to stop, take a deep breath, and “let the beat drop”. And, that’s exactly what I did. I started to use my breaks to listen to music, dance around the hospital supply room, or just take a walk in the hallway outside the unit.

And, you know what happened? I came back to my work refreshed, energized, and ready to tackle whatever came my way. I was able to stay focused and get more done in less time. It was amazing.

I want to share this with you because I know that you’re probably feeling just like I did. You’re trying to balance work and personal life, and it feels like there’s never enough time in the day. But, I’m here to tell you that taking short breaks throughout the day can help you too.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Set an alarm to remind yourself to take a break every hour or so.

2. Use your break to recharge and refresh. Listen to music, dance, take a walk, or just take a deep breath.

3. Come back to your work refreshed and ready to tackle whatever comes your way. So, go ahead and take a break. You won’t regret it.

I’d love to hear from you about how taking short breaks throughout the day has impacted your productivity. Let me know in the comments below.