It’s the beginning of the Holidays, do you find yourself having the attention span of a goldfish?

If so, it’s time you give yourself a mental break!

Last Friday, we stopped our workshops for the Holiday season.

For some, that cut-off is always difficult. If you have 2 weeks of vacation time, it takes you at least one week to shut your brain off from obligations and the following week you tend to be exhausted because the adrenaline has gone down and your body and mind finally give in. If this is you, it’s time to try and take mental breaks a little more frequently and not wait till your memory is nothing but a distant memory.

This is just a friendly reminder that IT’S OK to take a break from every challenge or activity you have committed to once in a while. This includes your language workshops, the gym, even your latest read…Yes, there is a difference between relaxation time and a leisure activity.

-Just Stop!

Scott Bea, Psy. D. who is a practitioner of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy focusing on anxiety as well as mood disorders reminds us that our brains are like sponges and that there is only so much information one can receive before needing to dry out for a bit when saturated.

[1]Here are a few positive outcomes if during this season you actually give your brain a break:

-Helps you regain a whiff of motivation.

-Helps you refocus when you do get back on task.

-Helps you come up with new ideas and new solutions.

I personally have seen the benefits among my students time after time. It still amazes me how a reasonable break helps them passively restructure what they have learned. Not only do they come back relaxed, they tend to not overthink the concepts they learned and the conversation just flows.

From that point, we review and move along!

[2]To conclude, let’s look at a summary of a few things mixed with other ideas you can do to actually let go and turn off your brain.

1. Mental Rest:

Ground yourself, stick to the present moment. Outside, noticing your environment and taking in what you see in the now.

2. Spiritual Rest:

Connect to your higher power, whatever your beliefs may be. Having faith in the goodness of things, being grateful and in awe of your surroundings.

3. Emotional Rest:

Learn to say no and select the people you are willing to open up to. Being able to share without feeling judged is a huge factor in helping us calm down that brain hamster that never stops.

4. Social Rest:

Choose your close circle wisely. Making sure the people who surround you don’t make you feel as lonely as if you were alone is important. This point is so very important especially within this pandemic context. Seeing people face to face is something that we have lost touch with but don’t forget that we are social beings.

5. Sensory Rest:

Shut everything off! Prepare a healthy meal in advance, preferably something raw and listen to semi-silence…

6.Creative Rest:

Step out of your comfort zone and let yourself draw, take pictures, dance around to music… Don’t try to correct yourself and especially, don’t judge your creation, just embrace the feeling not knowing the final outcome. You can also simply take the time to observe an artistic form.

7. Physical Rest:

Take deep breaths and don’t hesitate to take a nap. Sleeping at night is essential but rest during the day is as well.

[1] https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-downtime-is-essential-for-brain-health/

[2] https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/wander-woman/201903/how-regain-your-energy-throughout-your-day

Written by Lisa Francesca Archambault