Give your brain a break.

Brain breaks are important for focus, clarity and mental health. 

I write and create content for clients (and myself), which often involves consuming content and copy for inspiration and information. 

On heavy content and/or information days, my brain can begin to feel overwhelmed or more often, overstimulated. When this happens it becomes hard for me to maintain focus. It’s at this point that I’ll engage in a brain break. 

Brain breaks look different for me depending on my needs. Here are some examples of how I engage in a brain break:

• Sitting still and breathing. ‘Meditating’ can sound intimidating. I try to be still and focus on breathing, releasing tensions both mentally and physically. Just be still and allow yourself to breath.  

• Going for a walk with no extra stimulation (ie. Podcasts, music, being on my phone),  just taking deep breaths and being present. 

• Reading. Sometimes reading a physical book (not on a tablet or a phone) helps me to step outside of my current patterns of thinking so that I can come back refreshed. 

• Phoning a friend. I phone a friend when I’ve had too much of just myself. As an extravert, sometimes too much alone time can drain my battery. Calling a friend helps me recharge. 

•  Eating some food or drinking some water. Sometimes it’s as simple as taking a break to nourish our bodies with intention. Staying hydrated and properly nourished is good for our minds as well as our bodies. 

You can find ways to implement a brain break in ways that serve you best. If you work out of an office this may look like stepping outside for a few minutes or stretching at your desk.

Brain breaks are not selfish, you cannot give what you do not have. If you want to give your best, you’ve got to be your best. Your mind is important, be intentional about experiencing yourself and taking inventory of how you’re doing.

I hope this helps!