The best time to take a break

Q: When is the best time to take a short break from your work day?

A: Right when you think you can’t

When you are feeling under the pump, swamped, like you are drowning and other similarly delightful states of being, you are in fight-or-flight mode.

Fight-or-flight mode primes you to tackle a threat. It deprioritises your calmer, more higher-order, rational thinking so that you can swerve to avoid the oncoming car or fight the lion. That’s great when there really is an oncoming car or lion. It’s not so great when your brain is registering that report for marketing as being similarly serious. It means you will feel as though your life depends on getting that report done as. soon. as. possible.

It doesn’t.

The moment you catch yourself in that mode: stop. Breathe. Step away from the desk. Ideally, take a break for at least 5 minutes (leave your phone behind).

Your fight-or-flight response will cool and your more logical mind will come back online. You will feel better and be better able to tackle that report.

Until next week,
Take care of yourself and others

Madeleine

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