Nowadays, there seems to be no shortage of people talking about the hustle, the grindset, the neverending dedication to success and achievement that, in reality, isn’t really sustainable in the long term. If you want to manage your life better, be it at home, work, school, or otherwise, balance is necessary. That balance only comes with the right break. A break should help you reset, refocus, and get back to your life stronger. Here, we’re going to look at the importance of intentional breaks, as well as how and when to take them.
The Importance Of Taking Breaks
You cannot be in “go” mode 100% of the time. The longer you work without breaks, the harder your brain finds it to retain and sort information as it should. That’s why, after a long stretch of work, you may find yourself making simple mistakes or struggling to focus. Breaks act as mental reset buttons. You don’t need to take long breaks every day (although once in a while can certainly help), but even a few minutes can help bring you the clarity and energy you need. Taking breaks to effectively relax is also vital for your own emotional well-being. They’re a chance to reconnect with yourself rather than just power through another task.
Find Time For A Real Lunch Break
The best time to get a real break is around lunchtime. When your body needs to refuel, your mind does, as well. But it’s important that you actually take that time for a break, if you can, rather than simply eating with your hand still on the mouse and eyes still on the screen. A lot of people don’t take real breaks but simply continue working in disguise. A real lunch break means stepping away from your desk, even if it’s just to another room. Taking a dedicated lunch break helps your mind shift gears and gives your body the fuel it needs to function well through the afternoon.
Get Up Early
If you find it hard to take a break during the day due to having to look after the kids or having a particularly busy schedule, then you can create some additional breathing room in the day before the world starts demanding your attention. Waking up early, even just 30 minutes before the rest of your household or your first meeting, can give you sacred time for yourself. It’s quiet, distraction-free, and entirely yours. This can be the perfect time for those who otherwise need to be super productive. You can take the time to stretch, journal, sip your coffee without rushing, or even enjoy a brief moment of silence. Rather than trying to fill that time with something to do, find a means to enjoy the peaceful head start.
Take Time After The Kids Go To Bed
If you’re a parent, especially of younger children, then you don’t need anyone to tell you how much of your free time your kids can take up. However, after they go to bed offers a precious window to give yourself some time. A lot of people use this time to catch up on chores or work, but making room for yourself, even a little, can be surprisingly restorative. You don’t need to fill this time with anything elaborate. Even 20–30 minutes of doing something you enjoy can be incredibly rejuvenating. Watch a show guilt-free. Take a long shower. Sit outside. What’s important is that you use the time for yourself, not on your workload.
Play Some Games
Aside from carving out the necessary time for a break, it’s important to make sure that you’re using that break right. It should be a true mental break away from work, and one of the best ways to do that is to play some games. This is especially true if you want to keep your brain active and engaged, too. Playing games like online blackjack can be a great way to switch your brain into a different mode, to distract it from work, but to keep the lights on, so to speak, so that you’re able to get back into work all the easier. These types of games often require just enough focus to distract you from stress, without demanding the intensity of work.
Read A Chapter
Of course, keeping your mind as active doesn’t mean that you have to keep your brain busy with puzzles or challenges, either. If you’re looking to really relax, then taking the time to dive into another world or an interesting topic can be a great help. Reading a chapter of a book, be it fiction, non-fiction, or a memoir, can offer a great mental escape from the noise of your surroundings. It’s not an entirely passive way to pass the time, but rather a gentle mental exercise that also helps you reset your mental processes and emotions. You can come back to work with a relatively blank slate, which can be just what you need to get through the latter half of the day.
Try Out Meditation
It may seem like people recommend meditation for just about anything these days, but that’s because there are real benefits that are worth exploring. Even just a few minutes of mindful breathing can greatly reduce the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone coursing through your body, which reduces your anxiety and improves your ability to concentrate after your break is done. You don’t have to do the traditional meditation poses or sit for hours to get the benefit. Five minutes with a guided meditation app can make a big difference. Keep at it consistently, and you will find that you are calmer, thinking more clearly, and not ending up quite as exhausted at the end of the workday.
Exercise
Physical movement is one of the most effective and immediate ways to reset both your body and your mind. Whether it’s a brisk walk, a quick home workout, or even some stretching at your desk, moving your body increases blood flow, boosts mood-boosting endorphins, and breaks up the monotony of the day. You don’t have the time or space for a full gym session if you’re taking a break at work or school, but even a brief burst of activity can do a lot of good. A walk around the block, some bodyweight exercises, or even a few yoga poses can make sure that your blood is moving, and it helps to get you away from the screen in a meaningful way, as well.
Change Your Scenery
If you’re in need of a mental refresh, it can be hard to find that if you’re at the same desk or in your home office as usual. Being in the same environment for hours can make time feel like it’s moving much slower, which can make your brain more likely to disengage. Changing your scenery can make a big impact on how refreshing your breaks are. Aside from stepping out into a whole new environment, changing your environment, such as choosing relaxing aromatherapy scents and dimming the lights, can help you refresh the world around you enough that you’re able to disconnect and enjoy a real break. The visual and spatial change gives your brain a fresh backdrop, which can reignite focus and creativity. If you can step outside, even better. Natural light and fresh air can do what no coffee ever could.
Breaks are vital if you want to be able to maintain your balance and commit yourself fully to your goals. Stress and pressure build up like steam, and without the ability to turn the valve and let it out, it can result in some real volatility.
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