Taking time out keeps you Healthy - WLTZ 38 | Columbus Georgia Regional News & Community

By Holly Firfer (CNN)-

Remember when Holidays meant a time to relax, to kick back and enjoy being off with friends and family?   Now with crazy work schedules, 24 -hour Christmas sales, electronic gadgets beeping all day long and the constant go, go, go,  we never stop  And some experts say, that's not good for our health.  We need to embrace a day of peace.  Why? 

The idea of having a day of rest has biblical roots. Even God took time off on the seventh day but today, the world is a different place. We are a 24-7 planet, with long work weeks, and to do lists that never end and at some point, health experts say, we need to slow down.

"Everyone needs a stop day.  For some that may involved going to church or synagogue. For some that may mean doing the NYTtimes crossword puzzle.  But when we have that rhythm of rest and work, the work takes on more meaning."  

Dr. Matthew Sleeth, author of  the book: 24/6, a prescription for a healthier, happier life has examined the reasons we should all take a day off.  He says being on the go, for most of us, just means more stress to the body. "Virtually every study that's been done on this,  shows that we are pouring out catecholamines, which are those kind of flight or fright hormones that are stress hormones.  We are pouring out cortisol, which is a stress steroid in our body. "

And overall those take a toll on our bodies.

"They give us higher blood pressure, they increase anxiety and depression....and I think also psychologically knowing that you don't have a day coming up, that you aren't  given permission to rest is difficult for people."

So how can we stop?  Dr. Sleeth says cut out some of the time wasting habits.  Get your nose out of your computer, prioritize what's important to you and take that day off. Even eating your food slowly helps you enjoy life in a more healthy way and cut out the multi-tasking, at least at home.

"There's a saying that the point of life, isn't to see how fast you can get through it."  

So breathe.