“Refresh your mind with some innocent recreation and needful rest” (St. Paul of the Cross).

Ever sat at your desk and firmly told yourself you couldn’t possibly take a day off, at the same time knowing well that you needed a little time away from your laptop and business calls in order to recharge?

It’s tough. On the one hand, there’s so much to do. You’re needed. On the other hand, you feel you’re about to hit a wall. What’s a girl to do?

Learn from Audrey Hepburn: Take a one-day holiday. In the 1953 classic “Roman Holiday,” Hepburn’s character, Princess Ann, is overworked and at her wit’s end. She just wants a day to herself. Luckily for her, a city full of recreational activities is right outside her window. She sets out to do all the wonderfully ordinary things she’s always wanted to do.

Along the way, Ann opens up and makes new friends. She learns to smile again. Through each activity in the course of the day, she blossoms into her true self. By having a leisurely adventure, she gains a clearer understanding of who she is and what she wants out of life. At the end, Ann gains a renewed sense of duty.

Giving our hearts the “freedom to sing, dance, praise and love” may be the very thing we need to bring out the best in us as well.

We All Need a Break

In “Leisure: The Basis of Culture,” philosopher Josef Pieper makes the bold statement that we often overwork as a form of self-escape or as a way to define ourselves. He says, “The world of work begins to become—threatens to become—our only world, to the exclusion of all else. The demands of the working world grow ever more total, grasping ever more completely the whole of human existence.”

Yikes. That sounds like we’re robbed of a life outside of our 9-to-5. Instead of having a full life, we are idolizing labor at the expense of wholeness.

The antidote to overworking, Pieper says, is leisure.

It Restores Our Soul

Leisure is not to be confused with idleness or the idea of dolce far niente. Leisure is a form of self-care in which we rediscover who we are, what we love, and what we need. It provides balance to live life more abundantly (see John 10:9).

“Human life,” according to the Catechism, “has a rhythm of work and rest” (CCC 2184). In order to create, we need to recreate. To better serve the people around us, leisure offers us the opportunity to recharge and then return to work feeling energized.

Most importantly, true leisure restores our souls and points us back to God. It’s in that pausing that we can find peace and reconnect with the Creator. This time helps us redirect our thoughts, refocus on our goals, and reflect.

In the Beginning

It’s true that our work is good and a great blessing. In fact, one of the things our first human parents did was work. Yet it was still necessary for them to rest. In fact, rest was so important to God that he himself rested on the seventh day to set the example we needed.

After God created, he took a break. Not only that, but that break became a commandment! Rest is good for us—very good.

Holiday, Your Way

Although we can’t always take a vacation whenever we need to recharge, we can sometimes take a day off for a mental reboot. While writing this article, I considered sharing a list of ideas on how to spend your day of rest, but you know how to do so in a way that speaks to your heart. So, I’ll just tell you this: It’s OK to rest. You don’t need anyone’s permission for self-care. Let’s heed the words of Christ when he says, “Come away ... and rest a while” (Mark 6:31).

In the end, it’s not about what specific activity you do but the fact that you’re doing something that restores you. Whether you enjoy a lovely Audrey Hepburn-esque Roman holiday or stay home and read a book, I encourage you to make the most of your holiday!

Blanca Thérèse Morales is first and foremost a beloved daughter of God the Father. She has been blessed to spend 12 years writing about events, culture, and faith for various publications, including The Florida Catholic, Verily Magazine and Life Teen. It was in meeting great people through her writing that she discovered her other passions: building community, hosting brunches, and organizing house concerts. When she’s not media buying or creating content for work, she can be found exploring new places, or searching for the best lattes. Find her on LinkedIn or connect with her on Instagram.