Boost Your Mental Wellbeing: Master the Art of Taking Regular Breaks
Boost Your Mental Wellbeing: Master the Art of Taking Regular Breaks
In our fast-paced, technology-driven world, it’s easy to forget the importance of taking a break. Kristy von Minden, founder of mindfulness consultancy Mind Bright, learned firsthand the significance of giving our brains a rest. She shares a simple exercise that can help relax your mind.
The Lost Art of Doing Nothing
The Italians have a beautiful phrase, dolce far niente, which translates to “the sweetness of doing nothing.” It’s a concept that von Minden wishes to impart to those of us living in the ‘can-do’ nation. In our busy lives, it can be challenging to catch our breath, let alone slow down and focus on our breathing techniques.
The Never-Ending To-Do List
“Our to-do lists are never-ending,” says von Minden. “Because the world never stops these days, we don’t have permission to sign off at 5 pm or on the weekends like our parents used to be able to. We can log on to internet banking at any time to pay our bills, visit the supermarket at midnight, reply to endless messages from anywhere, or continue working long after we’ve left the physical office on our phones and laptops.”
Our Brains: The Energy-Hungry Machines
According to Tony Schwartz and his team at the global consultancy The Energy Project, we are using our brains like machines, working them hard and fast all day. “Our brains are our most energy-hungry muscle, so no wonder we are all so exhausted despite the fact most of us sit in our offices all day,” adds von Minden.
The Power of Strategic Breaks
Instead of pushing through, we need to think about the bigger picture. The Energy Project recommends working on a task for no more than 90 minutes before doing something to recharge our mental energy for 10-20 minutes. “This will not only refresh our cognition so we can focus better on the task at hand when we return to it, but we will actually get more done in less time,” says von Minden. “It also stops us from overloading our brains with too much information to process – which is that feeling of overwhelm that many of us experience throughout the day.”
Break Ideas for the Workday
Breaks during the workday could include:
- Stepping away from your computer to have a friendly chat with a co-worker
- Eating lunch outside
- Taking a brisk walk around the block
- Meditating
- Practicing belly breathing for a few minutes
- Doing the dishes (if you work from home)
The Importance of Practice
Activating the relaxation response can take patience and practice. Even von Minden had to remind herself of the importance of taking breaks after choosing a more mindful career path. “Sure enough, the more I practiced, the easier it got, and now I absolutely crave my sweet moments of doing nothing,” she says.
For further reading on the benefits of taking breaks, you can visit The Energy Project.
