When you struggle to concentrate at work and find yourself frantically multitasking, even a short break can relieve stress and help to refocus your mind.
Having too much on your plate can lead to bumbling around, starting a little bit of this and a little bit of that, but not completing anything – or you may find it hard to get started with anything at all.
That’s when a break isn’t only recommended, it’s a must to regain focus!
Here’s how you can help your mind recover during breaks at work and improve your ability to focus and get things done.
Our Brain Needs Breaks
Whatever the reason behind lack of focus and a wandering mind, we need regular breaks at work – we’re not built to focus on one thing for a prolonged time.
To function optimally, our brain needs time to recover and recharge during the work day and in between work days (switching from one task to another isn’t a break for our brain – it’s stress-inducing multitasking).
A few minutes of breathing, mindfulness or other mental practice or re-energizing movement will improve concentration, boost creativity and make you more productive.
Incorporate Mindfulness Into Every (Work) Day
By definition, mindfulness is “the awareness that arises from consciously paying attention in the present moment, non-judgmentally”, but it’s not limited to specific mindfulness exercises only.
You can apply a mindful approach to anything and incorporate mindfulness in the day-to-day:
- When sipping your morning coffee: consciously pay attention to how it tastes and feels in your mouth.
- While taking a walk: notice how fast or slow your legs move and how the breeze feels on your face.
Train Your Brain
In addition to making mindfulness part of your daily routines, you can boost the effects with regular mental practice that’ll help you to:
- Accept and allow all kinds of thoughts and feelings.
- Adopt a non-judgmental attitude towards yourself and others.
- Clarify your purpose and goals.
- Set boundaries and eliminate distractions.
Move To Calm Down The Mind
Exercise is essential for our physical health and well-being (joints, bones, metabolism), but also helps to build mental muscle, refocus the mind and lift our mood.
Even short bouts of moderate physical activity improve brain function. Especially aerobic exercise (any movement that elevates heart rate, increases blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain) improves focus and helps to think faster, smarter, better.
Yogaia for Business helps you and your team refresh and refocus at work with varied physical activities and mental practice – for only €1 per employee per month.