The Neuroscience Behind Taking A Break

-

In our fast-paced world, we often feel the need to constantly be doing something productive. 

But what if I told you that sometimes, the best thing you can do for your mind and body is... NOTHING?

According to science, taking breaks and allowing ourselves moments of doing nothing can significantly enhance our well-being. 

Here’s why:

  1. Mental Rejuvenation: Our brains need downtime to process information and consolidate memories. Doing nothing gives our minds the space to recharge and reset.
  2. Stress Reduction: Moments of stillness can reduce cortisol levels, helping to lower stress and anxiety. It’s a natural way to soothe the nervous system.
  3. Creativity Boost: Still moments allow our minds to wander, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills. Some of the best ideas come when we least expect them!
  4. Improved Focus: Taking regular breaks and doing nothing for a while can improve our concentration and productivity when we return to our tasks.
  5. Default Mode Network Activation: Neuroscience shows that when we are not focused on a task, our brain's default mode network (DMN) becomes active. This network is crucial for self-referential thinking, memory consolidation, and envisioning the future.

So, how can you incorporate this into your daily routine?

Here are a few simple suggestions:

  • Mindful Breathing: Spend a few minutes focusing on your breath.
  • Nature Walks: Take a leisurely walk without any distractions.
  • Staring Out the Window: Let your mind drift while observing the world outside.
  • Resting Your Eyes: Close your eyes and enjoy a few moments of darkness and calm.

Remember, it's not about being lazy; it's about giving your mind the space it needs to thrive.

So, take a moment today to do absolutely nothing. 

Your brain will thank you for it!🧠💕

Take home message:

If you find it hard to take a break, you are not alone. There are effective ways and strategies to help you develop healthy coping strategies and prioritize your wellbeing.

Talk to someone you trust, or seek professional help.

Yours truly,

Dana Berri

Kindness is not just a virtue, it's a way of life. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Between loss and grief, there is life.

-
Between loss and grief, there is life. And it took me time to accept that. I’ve studied grief and learned the psychology behind it- everything from the Kübler-Ross model to what I’ve seen with my clients in therapy, and of course, what I’ve experienced myself. Grief is bottled-up love that can no longer be expressed, either because the person, place, or connection is out of reach - or gone entirely. I’ve experienced grief throughout my life and often reminded myself that the pain is temporary. But only recently have I truly understood that suffering is an inseparable part of life. It cannot be avoided, and it often shows up when we least expect it. I never imagined I would be unable to return to my house- my bedroom, my balcony. This fear, something I never acknowledged before, was unlocked in the past few months. I grew up hearing stories about war, and I even lived through the 2006 war. Back then, thanks to my still-developing frontal cortex, I mostly remembered the moments of...
Read more

Who Am I, If I am Not My Thoughts?

-
 'I am Whole, Complete, Valid and Perfect'. What happens to your mind when you read these words? I am inviting you to notice the quality of your automatic thoughts at this moment. Then, find something that is FREE and DISCONNECTED from your history.  It could be a random person you saw today, a nice outfit you saw someone wearing, or the fact that the earth spins around itself and the sun 🌍 The point is to stop automatically thinking or associating things together.  Did your mind jump to tell you 'No, you're not?', or you simply remembered one time that you actually felt like a whole, or perhaps incomplete. Again, notice these thoughts, and go back to this moment; You, reading this sentence, while sitting on a chair or maybe walking to your next session. 'I am Whole, Complete, Valid and Perfect' Notice what is NOT automatic after you hear this. Notice 'who is noticing' ; You are not your thoughts, your memories and whatever happened to you.  ...
Read more

Letting Go and Holding On: Five Green Flags for Healthy Friendships

-
Unpopular opinion: As you grow, some friendships may go offstage.  It is not because you are 'losing people' or 'cutting them off'. This happens more naturally as you are growing, expanding, and shifting your focus to new priorities that matter to you. And most importantly, that align with your identity and purpose. Some people would still have a place in your heart, and you might decide to check on them and catch up from time to time, but this does not mean that you should necessarily allocate your time and energy to invest in them regularly. Erik Erikson, the very well-known German-American developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst, suggested it is a normal stage of development to focus on relationships that are most important to us and we may have less time or energy to maintaining a large network of friends as we move into adulthood. We may prioritize other responsibilities such as our career, the family we are creating and our personal growth, which can lead to...
Read more