To give
your brain a break, take a quick walk outside.
The
eight-hour workday became the norm when the Ford Motor Company found that
number resulted in maximum productivity at its factories, explains Jeff Stibel,
an author and the CEO of Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp., in a
recent LinkedIn post. But, the problem is, the human brain is not
meant to focus on the same task for hours at a time.
“The idea
of an eight-hour day with a short lunch break is based on the most effective
formula for physical labor, not mental work and certainly not creative mental
work,” Stibel says. “Evidence shows that the brain cycles from highest
attention to lowest attention approximately every 90 minutes. This suggests
that you should hit the reset button about that often.”
This is
precisely why “hip” Silicon Valley tech companies started the growing trend of
offering unique perks that encourage employees to step away from their desks.
“One of
the best ways to recharge is to engage in something different," he says.
"If you’ve been reviewing a document for 90 minutes, don’t take a break by
reading news articles. Get up and do something completely different.”
Here are
three ways to give your brain a break during your workday:
Be
physically active. Exercise is good for our brains. That’s why
company-sponsored yoga classes and in-office gyms are becoming increasingly
common, Stibel says. “If you can’t get in a full workout, don’t fret:
stretching for five minutes or even using a standing desk makes small changes
that can spur creativity and recharge your batteries.”
Do something
you love. Playing office games, going window-shopping, or meeting with
a friend for coffee are great ways to give your brain a break from work. “Take
advantage of what’s [in] or near your office,” Stibel says. “Being fully
engaged in an activity lifts the mood and contributes to feelings of overall
well-being.”
Get in
touch with nature. “Being outside activates different brain regions than sitting
inside, as most of us do for the majority of our workday,” he says. Easy ways
to incorporate nature into your workday include taking a walk in a nearby park
or regularly having lunch outside.
“Brain
breaks can make a big difference in your ability to be productive, creative,
and innovative. The paradox is that doing less often allows you to do more,”
Stibel concludes.
Nap. I’ll admit that this is the hardest to do in a typical
office environment, but if you can find a way, the benefits are huge. Some
offices actually have sleeping pods, but for those that don’t, slip out into
your car for a power nap. Much of what happens in the brain while we sleep is
still unknown, but what is certain is that people perform better in terms of
memory and concentration after a nap.
Do nothing. If
a snooze isn’t possible, then simply sit in a quiet place and allow yourself to
relax for ten minutes. Just as when sleeping, important mental processes occur
when we daydream.
Brain
breaks can make a big difference in your ability to be productive, creative,
and innovative. The paradox is that doing less often allows you to do more.
What do
you do to give your brain a break, and how does your company help you do it?
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