Question:
Dear Advice Guy,
I read your article about de-stressing and get it, but whenever I take extra time off (we are only open Wednesday through Sunday and do a short day of receiving and prep on Tuesday) I feel guilty about it and feel like I’m not there for my team.
– Owner
Answer:
I recently talked to two decades-long restaurant managers who are relatively happy in their career and feel that they’ve achieved some balance and longevity, which is serving them well in their 40s and 50s. The secret? Each has an “introvert”/no communications day where they don’t leave the house or talk to anyone. One said, “The only contact with the outside world on my Mondays might be GrubHub.” The other uses her second weekly day off (Wednesdays) for getting together with friends and trying new restaurants but her first (Tuesdays) is strictly for her.
While the strategy of not interacting with another soul for 24 hours may not work for everyone, the idea of doing something to fully remove you, both physically and mentally, from the intense work of the restaurant business is something everyone can appreciate.
Chef Maria Campbell from Cooks Who Care, who gave us the de-stressing advice says, of breaks, “We feel that learning how to rest and take breaks is one of the most important skills that folks in our industry really need to work on. Once you decide it’s time for a break, it’s important to make the most of your time away from work. Find an activity that gives you a sense of satisfaction—a hobby, a sport, a decluttering session at home. Let your brain unwind. Make time for family and friends. Take that mental-health day. Don’t check email! Set boundaries and respect them. It’s one day and it will do you so much good.”
While it may feel unproductive to be out of the restaurant where your brain and hands could be checking things off the to-do list, a hospitality career is a marathon and not a sprint, as the cliché goes. Campbell says, “If you invest in supporting your own mental health, you are setting yourself up to be happier, healthier and more productive for years to come.”
More on giving yourself a break here.