Executive Summary

Several telltale signs that might indicate that you need a break.  These include:

•  Brownouts.  You are working longer, but are less productive.  You are no longer creative or innovative.  You are making more bad decisions.
•  Increased irritability.  If you experience frequent mood changes, and you have a shorter temper, that's a surefire warning sign.
•  Antisocial behavior.  You are becoming more withdrawn, and have less enthusiasm about getting together with friends and family.
•  Disruptions in normal routine.   Your sleep and eating patterns have changed.

 Tips for Taking Time Off

• If you must take a Blackberry with you on vacation, only use it at certain times of the day.  It can be less stressful to review e-mail while on vacation than knowing you will return to an inbox with hundreds or thousands of messages.
• Know yourself.  Some of Battley's clients are more comfortable taking just a long weekend, she claims.  They are more able to relax and really refresh because they know they won't have to put in 18 hour weekdays in order to get caught up when they return to the office.
• Learn from your younger employees.  According to Battley, they tend to be more focused on work/life balance, and will expect to take their allotted vacation time.  Why not set an example and do the same.