Here we will go over the benefits of taking breaks to combat feelings of exhaustion.
When you are having a long day, and are feeling exhausted, taking a break can help you re-energize, regain focus, and boost productivity. Stepping away from your work for short periods of just 10-15 minutes is beneficial to your mental health, physical health, cognition, and more.
Let’s jump right in.
Combats Mental Exhaustion
Desk jobs, physical labor jobs, household chores, and all other types of work can be mentally exhausting. Performing any kind of task for hours on end creates burnout, leaving your mind fatigued and it more difficult to keep going.
Taking short breaks throughout the day gives your mind a chance to rejuvenate and recover. A short 10-15 minute break is enough to help you clear your mind. When you come back from your break, you will feel refreshed and ready to take on any task at hand with renewed focus.
Reduces Stress
Persistently working without stepping away to relax can also cause quite a bit of stress which leads to frustration and exhaustion.
If you have a stressful job, it is a good idea to use your breaks to perform relaxing activities.
Examples of some activities include:
- Breathing exercises
- Stretching
- Taking a walk
- Playing a game
- Using CBD or Cannabis Products
- Meditating
- Listening to music
Stress triggers the release of cortisol, which is a steroid hormone meant to help protect you in stressful or dangerous situations. Whether you are in danger or not, cortisol is released every time you are overwhelmed or frustrated. The release of this hormone causes symptoms of fatigue and brain fog.
The activities listed above combat the release of cortisol because they trigger the release of happy hormones like serotonin.
Physical Rejuvenation
Physical exhaustion can occur from both manual labor jobs and desk jobs. Sitting or standing for long hours, engaging in repetitive movements, or using any number of muscle groups drains your body of energy.
When you become physically exhausted, you lose alertness, feel as if you can’t perform your work efficiently, and you can even experience pain. Taking breaks will give your body a physical rejuvenation and ensure you don’t develop sore muscles or other aches.
Depending on the type of work you do, the type of break you take may be different.
Individuals that sit at a desk for long hours may want to use their break to complete some stretches and loosen up their muscles. Individuals who use physical strength throughout the day may want to use their breaks to just sit and relax.
Both ways to spend your break can be beneficial to combating exhaustion. Resting and getting physically active both increase energy levels and make you feel more alert.
Breaks Up the Monotony
Monotonous work can quickly lead to exhaustion because it can be boring and no longer engage your mind and senses.
Taking a break from the monotony disrupts the continuous cycle of a task and provides a change of scenery. Taking breaks also helps you be more productive because it allows you to reset your thinking patterns and come up with new more creative ideas.
Enhances Cognitive Function
Researchers have performed studies that showcase the differences between working an entire day consecutively and taking breaks. In these studies, researchers found that taking breaks improves cognitive function, attention, memory, and problem-solving abilities. Contrary, not taking breaks hindered those abilities.
Breaks allow your brain to process information, solidify memories, make connections between, and ruminate on different concepts.
The cognitive processing that takes place during breaks enhances your overall cognitive abilities which creates a more alert and sharp mental state.
Fully Refresh
When you are too exhausted to keep your eyes open or your body moving, you might need to take a break specifically to catch a few minutes of sleep.
According to the Sleep Foundation, adults can feel refreshed and alert after about 20-30 minutes of sleep. Sleeping for longer could have you enter deep sleep. Waking from a deep sleep before a full rest can leave you feeling groggy and more tired than you originally were.
If you are working a job or task that permits a 20-30 minute break, finding a comfortable place to get some shut-eye may be the perfect way for you to combat exhaustion.
Conclusion
Taking breaks is a crucial practice for combating exhaustion and staying alert. By incorporating breaks into our daily routines and work, you can reap many benefits.
Not only do breaks increase productivity and enhance creativity, but they also improve physical and mental health. Taking breaks allows us to recharge our minds, reduce stress levels, and prevent burnout. Moreover, breaks facilitate better decision-making and information retention.
By prioritizing breaks, we can achieve a healthier work-life balance and develop a sense of satisfaction. When feeling overwhelmed or exhausted, stepping away to take a break will let you return to work feeling rejuvenated, focused, and alert.
