By Jillian Broaddus and Chuck Cusumano
(We’ll keep this blog short and sweet because if you clicked on the link, you’re probably in need of a break.)
Did you know: Not all breaks are created equal?!
Dr. Mithu Storoni, neuroscientist and author of Hyperefficient: Optimize Your Brain to Transform the Way You Work, claims that our minds aren’t like muscles – “[Our mind] doesn’t rest the moment you stop working it… If you’re in the gym and stop lifting heavy weights, your muscle relaxes. But if you’re in a busy office and you walk out for a break, your mind hasn’t walked out with you. It’s still on your office chair, especially if the work you were doing left you with a heavy cognitive load that you’re worried about.”
Therefore, we must know our current state of mind to understand how to best give it a rest – because our minds DO need rest, just like any other part of our overworked bodies.
Here’s how Dr. Storoni suggests differentiating:
If you’re tired and wired, choose a distracting activity that still engages your mind but eases your body into a state of relaxation. Try going for a walk and taking in the scenery, playing a puzzle, or finding an online article that catches your interest.
If you’re tired and not wired, your brain could benefit more from total relaxation. Try allowing yourself to daydream, zone out to a TV show, or even take a nap.
It’s that simple! Now, enjoy your break – whichever kind you need!
Let us know how we can help you maximize your productivity or learn more on how rest can help you reach your full potential by reaching out to us at hello@thejoshuagroup.net!
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