5 Breaks That Recharge Your Mind
There is a growing body of research that suggests our brains are more fatigued than we think when the workday is done. There is evidence to suggest that even when you feel you can’t focus at work because it’s “boring,” your mind may still be fighting off fatigue. With that in mind, below are 5 breaks to recharge your mind.
Play a brain game
Studies show that playing a brain game can help improve brain function by challenging the mind and making it work in unexpected ways. If you’re feeling unfocused or dull, try spending some time on an activity like chess, crosswords, sudoku or on websites like I’m a puzzle trying your hand at some jigsaw puzzles. There are plenty of free sites out there offering stimulating brain games that you can play on your breaks.
Walk or exercise
One of the best ways to reenergize at work is to get up and go for a walk. Staying put at your desk or workstation does little to reinvigorate a tired mind. If you and your office mates are able and willing, taking a walk together can be a very beneficial team-building exercise.
The easiest way to harness the power of a short walk is to set a timer on your phone or desktop calendar for 3 minutes. You can even do this without leaving your desk if you want. When the alarm sounds, get up and go for a quick walk around the office.
Connect with nature or a streetscape
A change of scenery, especially if you can take in some nature and greenery, can be a very refreshing change of pace for your eyes and mind and help reduce the effects of mental fatigue. Visiting with coworkers in another department or working from an alternate workstation can also be a simple way to switch up your routine.
If you have the opportunity to take a walk outdoors, try walking along a streetscape that has buildings that can serve as a backdrop. If you’re feeling adventurous, you might even try finding and photographing the most interesting or beautiful building near your office to give yourself a mini-vacation whenever you need it.
Change your environment
Even something as simple as getting up and walking into a new room, or sitting and looking out a window at something new can be a great way of refreshing your mind and getting a new perspective.
If you have the option to change your environment when you’re feeling mentally fatigued, take advantage of it! If you’re feeling stuck in a rut, try taking an alternate route to work, or seeing what things look like from different parts of your office.
Have lunch or a healthy snack
A healthy, energizing lunch is one of the simplest ways to reenergize yourself when you are feeling mentally fatigued. When your body’s energy is low during the day, it can be very difficult for your mind to function at its peak levels.
Finding ways to recharge in small amounts throughout the day is important for ensuring that you can go the distance at work. Whether it’s taking a few minutes for a walk, checking your email in the middle of the day or having lunch with an acquaintance, finding little ways to recharge can help make sure that you stay sharp and focused throughout the day.
In conclusion
Taking short breaks throughout your day to reenergize is an important part of ensuring that you are working at peak efficiency. If you’re feeling mentally fatigued, try these simple tips for boosting the performance of your mind throughout the rest of your workday.