You know those days when you just feel like you need to step away to put everything into perspective?

Today was that day.

I don’t take lunch breaks on a daily basis, instead normally doing the unhealthy thing and multi-tasking through my meal. Therefore, late this afternoon when I needed a few minutes away from my desk, I felt very little guilt just stepping away. I know that it’s better for me to take a 30 minute break than push through when I’m just in a stressed out mode.

Let me tell you. That 3 mile run was the most amazing stress relief and made this month’s membership to Equinox all that much more worth it since I was able to hop on a treadmill, just one block from my office, and pound out a very fast 3 mile run while listening to Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

Then, a few hours later, while enjoying my grilled chicken sandwich delivered to my front door compliments of Seamless Web, I read a blog post that just hit home. Sometimes we can only do so much. Maybe you’ll sleep through the alarm for 2 entire hours. Maybe you’ll feel like an idiot because your face is peeling all day and you know your co-workers think that you either have really bad dandruff or just don’t know how to properly apply aloe. Maybe you packed your lunch and left it on the kicthen counter, so the cheese stick, Chobani, and salad could all go bad. Maybe your in-laws are coming to visit tomorrow and the house is a mess. Even if all those things happened to you in one day, as they did me, you still woke up and conquered the day. Sometimes, that in itself is enough.

Not everyday in a city is filled with sunshine. Nor does each day come with it’s own pair of rose colored glasses. But, at the end of the day, I’ve found after years of trying to be perfect that it’s far better to focus on the attitude with which you tackle the day. I’ve also learned that having a dear co-worker with whom you can vent is invaluable. Having a family member or friend who is 100% unrelated to work is also valuable. Knowing when to say no is never easy and sometimes the hardest thing to say. At the same time, sometimes following through with a commitment you’ve made is also the hardest thing to do but you will feel 100% better after you do it.

And, hopefully, if my hand doesn’t hit the snooze button ten times tomorrow, I’ll remember how wonderful a long run in Central Park before work can feel.

Check back in tomorrow for a fun giveaway that will come in handy for long summer days!