TAKE A BREAK AND BE HAPPY !!

Have you ever got stumped by a problem, decided to take a break, and later found that the answer magically came to you in a burst of inspiration? If so, you know the power of strategic breaks to refresh your brain and help you see a situation in a new way. A 'break' is a brief cessation of work, physical exertion, or activity. You decide to give it a rest with an intention of getting back to your task within a reasonable amount of time. But when you give it a rest, what part of the brain actually needs the rest?

For 'think - work' it's the prefrontal cortex (PFC), the thinking part of your brain. When you are doing goal - oriented work that requires concentration, the PFC keeps you focused on your goals. The PFC is also responsible for logical thinking, and using willpower to override impulses. That's a lot of responsibility - no wonder it needs a break !

1. Movement breaks are essential for your physical and emotional health. Constant sitting - whether at your desk, the TV, or the lecture hall - puts you at a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression and obesity. Getting up from your chair to walk, stretch, do yoga, or whatever activity you prefer can reduce the negative health effects from too much sitting. Just a 5 minute walk every hour can improve your health and well being.

2. Breaks can prevent decision fatigue. The need to make frequent decisions throughout your day can wear down your willpower and reasoning ability. So taking breaks can actually prevent this. Decision fatigue can lead to simplistic decision making and procrastination. 

3. Breaks restore motivation, especially for long - term goals. When we work, our prefrontal cortex makes every effort to help us execute our goals. But for a challenging task, that requires our sustained attention, taking our minds off the goal for sometime, can renew and strengthen motivation later on. Deactivating and reactivating your goals allows you to stay focused. So when you're studying for your final exams, I'd strongly recommend you to take breaks so that your PFC can help you focus more !

4. Breaks increase productivity and creativity. Working for long stretches without breaks leads to stress and exhaustion. Taking breaks refreshes the mind, replenishes your mental resources, and helps you become more creative. " Aha moments " come more often to those who took breaks. Taking regular breaks also raises your engagement, which in turn, is highly correlated with productivity.

5. " Waking rest " helps consolidate memories and improve learning. Resting while awake improves memory formation. During a rest period, the brain reviews and ingrains what it previously learned. 

There are times when it makes no sense to take a break. One of those times is when you're in a state of 'flow'. Flow is characterised by complete absorption in the task, seemingly effortless concentration, and pleasure in the task itself. Simply enjoying what you're doing may be a sign that you still have plenty of energy for your current activity. Don't "break" it.

As you take breaks, be mindful of the results. Which kind of breaks seem to help you become more creative, motivated and productive? Which kind of break just seems disruptive to your work? Notice what works and what doesn't. 

Meanwhile, give it a rest ;) !

Stay home, stay safe, take breaks !!