The Power of Breaks

By: Ayush Saha

Imagine this: You have been sitting down grinding your homework for hours, but now you're feeling exhausted, stressed, and like you've hit a brick wall. I’m sure this is a familiar situation many of you have found yourselves in, and I am no stranger to the dreaded brick wall. If this is something you find yourself in, chances are you need a break.  

 Some of you may find it easy to sit back and take a break, while others might find it harder to justify doing so. It can be especially challenging if you have tight deadlines approaching! Hustle culture has also swarmed social media, leading us to believe that we need to be in a constant state of work to succeed. Although hard work can be great, it seems to overlook what happens if you don’t allow yourself time to recover.  

 There have been times when I have felt guilty for not working, which often prevented me from taking a break. Sometimes, I procrastinated and ended up in a situation where I felt I had no time for anything but work. However, I assure you that well timed breaks can be a powerful weapon to wield. If you are working for long periods of time, or even for just an hour, you are likely not working at optimal levels. Long work periods often cause fatigue and stress, which significantly reduce your performance. After all, your brain requires a lot of resources to function! 

 So, you might be curious about how breaks can benefit you! Breaks will help relax your brain, make you feel less tired, and even improve your mood. Most importantly, this will help maximize your productivity when you get back to work.  

 You may be wondering how long to take a break or what to do. Breaks can vary in length, ranging from short breaks of 5-10 minutes to longer breaks spanning a few hours. For short breaks I have found that walking around or getting a glass of water to be sufficient. Other examples of breaks can include going outside, watching an episode of your favorite TV show, listening to music, or even chilling with your pets. Everyone is different, and it is important to know what YOU find relaxing! Make sure to enjoy your breaks and find what works best for you! 

 I hope my words were able to reach some of you! I really want to emphasize that the QUALITY of your work sessions is far more important than the QUANTITY of time spent working. Breaks will help on both fronts, improving the quality of your work while reducing the quantity. By working at your best, you can accomplish more in less time. Feel free to reach out to us on instagram or email if you have any questions, or to share ideas about how you like to spend your breaks! (@mapmentorship / mapmentorship@outlook.com) 

Thanks to everyone who took the time to read this post!