Creating Optimal Work Patterns for our Brains

In today’s society accomplishments are more valued than an afternoon of rest. In our ever-growing need to be like the Joneses, we have lost our ability to stop and enjoy the moment, we have lost our ability to simply play away an afternoon. Many people think rest is sleeping, napping, sitting on the couch with our feet up, that is a type of rest. Playing, escaping for an afternoon, watching the sun reflect off the water is also a form of rest.

Why Rest is Important

Have you ever heard a writer say they have writer’s block? Or an artist say they cannot find their muse? Or an athlete loses a competition they have trained for months? In our world of staying connected, knowing the news now, and being able to have the world at our fingertips, we have lost the ability to simply be, to enjoy a moment, to pursue a pastime, to indulge in a hobby. We have come to think that every activity must have a product, that we must continually be doing something, producing something, learning something. When we continually use our mind in one way, that area of our brain becomes exhausted and the other parts of our brain take over with a restless drive to be used.

Our brains need breaks. Our bodies need breaks. Our emotions need breaks. To operate at our peak performance levels we must learn to balance our physical, emotional, and mental health, with rest, activity, and growth. Just as we must work out all of our bodies, we must also work out all of our mind, and that means having periods of rest.

Resting Our Minds

Our minds are incredible, we haven’t even begun to learn the true capabilities of our minds. One thing is certain, our minds were built for a variety of activities. We are meant to have a varied day, a day of learning, resting, and growing, not simply focusing on one thing. The more we focus on one area, the more we push ourselves to be perfect in one area, the more bored, restless, and start to lose our passion for the work. As the old saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jane a dull girl”, is spot on. We simply cannot work all the time. Our minds must have the freedom to wander, explore, ponder upon beauty.

Our Minds

Our minds crave creativity, learning, and beauty. Every mind wants the freedom to creatively express its thoughts, feelings, and lessons learned. When we allow our minds the freedom to wander, to daydream, we are giving our minds rest. When we cultivate a variety of hobbies, hobbies that vastly vary, and are nothing like the work we do, we are allowing our minds to rest. An afternoon spent fishing or walking in the woods, or painting is an afternoon of rest for our minds.

Why We Need to Rest

Just as we need rest to physically recharge and heal, we need rest to overcome challenges, find solutions, and allow our minds to heal. With the onset of the internet, smartphones, smartwatches, and smart rings, we have created a world littered with stimulants, toxins, and negative emotions for our brains. Unplugging from the constant updates is vital for the recovery of our minds. The more we force our minds to switch from notification to notification to work, the more we exhaust our minds. As amazing as our minds are, they are not meant for continual quick switches. Rather, our minds were made for periods of focus on one topic, a break, then focus on another topic. Ever wonder why you cannot retain the information you cram in your mind for a test? Because your mind needs time to process, unwrap, and understand information, mixed in with periods of rest.

Optimal Work Patterns for our Minds

When we can group like activities together, our minds can focus on the activity, giving us 100% of our mind power. Multitasking is not effective, placing a load of laundry in the washer, and then working on a paper for 50 minutes, knowing you will then get a 10-minute break to place the laundry in the dryer, is effective. We cannot focus on more than one thing at a time, when we do, we lose our sharpness, our edge, we lessen our ability to produce the best work possible. Working for 50 to 60 minutes, taking a break, and then returning to work, allows us to create natural shifts in focus, and moments of rest.

I try to answer all my emails first thing in the morning, then I take a short break before launching into my next activity. Something as simple as walking to the bathroom, getting a glass of water, is enough of a break for my mind to allow me to return to my task and truly focus. Placing my phone on do not disturb, and writing an article gives me the space to be creative, to focus on just one thing. The notifications will be there in 30 minutes.

Fueling our Minds

Just as our body works best with clean, whole food, so does our mind. Our mind needs good, healthy food, and lots of water to truly focus on an activity. We also need moments to simply look upon beauty, to take in the vastness of nature, or laugh with a puppy. These small moments recharge our brains, sharpen our focus, and can even give us a new perspective. Moments of happiness and contentment give our brains the emotional fuel needed to keep plugging through the muck of life. What we put into our minds, the shows we watch, what we listen to, read, and surround ourselves, creates the environment, the health of our mind. Want a healthier, more focused mind? Stop watching reality television, get off of social media, and learn to appreciate your life. No, reality television is not bad. I do love a great cooking competition. But I also know what I see is not real, it is made for enjoyment. Social media allows me to stay connected with family, it also allows me to see the beauty of the world, and enjoy the silliness of dogs. But nothing recharges my mind like gratitude.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the health of our mind is very important. Creativity cannot be birthed from a mind filled with anger, envy, and toxins. Beauty cannot be appreciated when we continually think the grass is greener in someone else’s yard. And we cannot be present, give our loved ones what they need, if our minds are polluted. Learn to appreciate the wonder of your mind, learn to value your mind. Take the time to work on your mind’s health.

Sincerely,

Sara O