The Art Of Resting: How To Take A Productive Break And Come Back Stronger

Apr 21, 2023 | Ebru Yildirim
Career Coaching In Dubai

We all need a break - in life, career, thoughts, and experience. When used appropriately, breaks can improve brain health, increase creativity, and help us stay focused for extended periods. Ironically, the more time we take off, the more we can work. Some experts also believe it is a proactive method for enhancing your mental health.

But to do this, you need to use proper techniques. This is where career and life coaching experts come into play. This article will reveal the interesting art of resting and how to take productive breaks according to career coaches.

Take a Break Every 52 Minutes

We've all experienced when the hours fly by while we're in the zone. So our most potent productivity, concentration, and focus tools must be safeguarded. But they are continuously being attacked and worn out by fighting the "bad" decisions around us. Therefore make sure to take a break every 52 minutes.

Why does this work? According to a life coach, here are several reasons why this is beneficial,

  • You're more likely to concentrate and work purposefully if you know a break is coming soon.
  • Cognitive dullness can set in if work is done for too long. When you labor for more than 52 minutes, your mind starts to wander, which might have long-term detrimental repercussions by making you less focused on the task.
  • Your body wasn't designed to sit still for eight hours each day. Getting some exercise at regular times throughout the day will benefit your health and ability to concentrate.

Take in the Great Outdoors

To get things done, it could be necessary to spend the entire day in a stuffy, artificially lighted office, co-working area, or cafe. But escaping that space for even a few minutes during the day can have huge benefits. Going outside for your break encourages productivity when you're awake and promotes sound sleep, which will help you be more productive the following day.

What happens if you are unable to spend your break outside? You can always bring nature to you if you cannot travel to it. Being close to natural elements might have the same impact. Being surrounded by plants can boost your mood, increase your job satisfaction, and make you more patient.

So whether you take a quick walk outside or stare out the window, being close to nature during your break has many benefits.

Give Your Mind The Right Fuel

Our bodies effectively signal when we need to take a break. For example, you must act when your stomach rumbles and become more audible than your thoughts. Make sure to find a work-life balance by setting boundaries, assessing your needs, and examining priorities.

But selecting the incorrect food or beverage might drain our mental energy instead of replenishing it. So instead, choose a higher-protein snack during your break to maintain your brain functioning, such as a small portion of chicken, beef, fish, almonds or nut butter, or a protein supplement. And remember to keep your portions small to reduce the risks of a post-snack crash.

Exercise Your Eyes

Our tech-fueled lives place a significant weight on our eyes. Fortunately, a quick exercise can help lessen eye strain. Remember the 20-20-20 rule. Look away from your computer screen once every 20 minutes, and for at least 20 seconds, concentrate on anything that is at least 20 feet away.

Beyond merely caring for your eyes during your breaks, you can take a few more straightforward actions to safeguard your eyesight throughout the day, such as dimming your lights and lowering glare, since correct ergonomics help minimize weariness in your entire body, especially your eyes.

If you are not sure how to maintain a productive work-life balance that supports your mental health and overall well-being it is highly recommended to find a life coach.