Stop Making False Breaks
When your brain is distorted, the easiest way is to disconnect from social media, check what Chrissy Teigen ate for dinner last night, or figure out what unpopular Halloween candy you are. You say to yourself, “I need this.” Of course good. But know that you are not actually recharging.
Many of us take “breaks” during the day — we mindlessly browse Instagram or even do something productive like making an appointment with a doctor or ordering a new light bulb instead of the one that just went out. This is not to say that we shouldn’t do it, but labeling such tasks as taking breaks can give us a false sense of balance. At 99U, author Laura Vanderkam explains that these are “false breaks,” and they affect how much work we can do.
The human brain can only concentrate for a certain amount of time. When we don’t make real breaks, we take fake ones by surfing the net with decoy links. Paradoxically, you can work more hours (i.e. real hours) by taking a targeted break every few hours or so. Come outside. Call your loved one. You will return to your desk charged and ready to go.
Real breaks give your body and mind the relaxation it needs. If you’ve got an hour, you might feel a huge reboot with a hike, long bath (no iPad), massage, or therapy. But even if your break should be much shorter, say 10 or 15 minutes, you can still get clarity after a quick walk, meditation with an instructor, or a phone call with a friend. Just make sure your break is purposeful , as Vanderkam writes. This is what you need, not just another internet quiz.