As much as it is important to be proactive about your career development and proactive in your job. It is also important to rest, relax and take a break.
There is no point in working yourself to death or burning yourself out. You are no use to anyone if you do this.
Rest Breaks at Work
What is your entitlement? Workers are usually entitled to rest breaks if they work for someone else. However, their contract of employment may say that they are entitled to more or different work breaks.
If you work more than 6 hours a day you have the right to one uninterrupted 20 minute rest break during your working day. This is usually your lunch break.
You also have a right to 11 hours rest between working days and the right to an uninterrupted 24 hours work free period each week (or 48 hours in each fortnight).
Your employer can say when you take your rest break provided it is in the middle of your working day and you are allowed to spend it away from your desk (or working area). Unless your contract of employment states otherwise a worker does not have a right to take smoking breaks.
There are of course different rules depending on the type of work you do but these rules are true for most office-based workers unless their contract of employment states otherwise.
So what if you are self-employed?
You work the hours you want. It is more than likely that you push yourself without breaks and challenge yourself more. So just make sure you get some rest breaks in (and some holiday).