12 Simple Ways To Give Your Brain A Break
Sometimes after too much mental effort or intense focus for too long, my brain feels like scrambled eggs. I can’t focus, I’m stressed and agitated and restless. This is the moment I know that my brain highly needs a well-deserved break. Especially after a long and challenging day (or days) where I didn’t have the time to take a break, or slow down and breathe.
So if you’re struggling with giving your brain a break too, here are my favorite and most successful ways of giving my brain its well-deserved break to help it release mental tension, let go of stress, slow down, and become calm and peaceful again.
How To Give Your Brain A Well-Deserved Break After A Long Day
The way I go about it that always works for me is to focus on engaging in slow and soothing activities during which I don’t need to engage too much of my mind so that it has space and time to unwind, and my body can relax too. (After effort comes comfort, right?)
1. Walk in nature or park
Going for a walk is definitely my favorite go-to activity whenever I need a break. What’s nice about it is that it doesn’t have to be a long one to be effective. Just a ten or fifteen-minute walk is already enough to feel the benefits. I usually try to opt for nature spots or parks (one of the major downsides of living in a big city is that there are no woods close and accessible).
2. Yoga
Yoga is always good for slowing down, breathing, and letting go of pent-up tension and stress. Same as with the walk, it doesn’t have to be a long session. A short one can definitely help the brain slow down and come back to the present moment.
Slow motion + slow breathing = slowed down mind.
3. Bath
Who doesn’t love to relax in a hot bath at the end of a long day? Especially with some lavender oil, candles, and lots of bubbles. Even better if I can stay there for at least an hour.
4. Reading
Reading (for leisure) is always a relaxing activity for me, one that feels like a brain massage. So if I’m trying to unwind, I’ll just grab a cozy book (usually fiction for the escapism bonus), make myself a cup of something warm to drink, and settle down in an armchair or the couch to quiet the outside world for some time.
5. Breathwork
I try to do some breathwork every day, but if I really need to come back to myself and give my brain a break, I’ll inevitably take some time just to focus on my breath. The simple act of focusing on your breathing, and taking very slow and long inhales and exhales is key to help the brain slow down and decompress. Besides, breathwork is also great for your nervous system, so it’s always a bonus.
6. Jump rope
Jump rope is the blatant exception in this list. When I say I always focus on slow and soothing activities when I’m trying to give my brain a break, jump rope is the total opposite of these, but with similar results. With years of practice, I’ve found that jump rope is excellent to help me quiet my mind and release all mental and physical tension. I guess other intense workouts might work too, though I’ve never gained the same great results with anything other than jump rope.
7. Doing Nothing
Doing Nothing On Purpose. Yes, all capital words. The simple act of doing nothing, but nothing as an action. Not as a lack of one. This is the dream (once I’d managed to overcome the need to be productive all the time, or the guilt of wasting time). It certainly took some work before I could reach this state, not gonna lie – but it was totally worth it. So yes, sometimes to restore balance back in my life after working too much, I do absolutely nothing. And it’s definitely a life-changing habit. I always feel so much better afterward, recharged and peaceful and serene.
8. Have A Nap (or go to sleep early)
My bed is easily my favorite place in the whole world. Comfy spot, fluffy pillows, soft blankets. So whenever I’m not feeling too well, I’ll just go have a nap, or even better and simply go to sleep early if I can.
9. Cook or Bake
There is something relaxing about going through the motions of baking your favorite treats (even better with music in the background). So whenever I’m particularly stressed, I like baking something easy enough that doesn’t require too much mental effort from my brain. Usually, I opt for a small molten chocolate cake. Or some crêpes (can’t escape the French in me).
10. Turn off electronics (well, except for Spotify)
Screens and an agitated brain don’t go well together (at least in my case). I know that if I turn on the TV, or go to my phone or computer, it’s going to take me longer for my brain to actually slow down. So I give myself one or two hours away from any screen, and simply focus on doing something else instead.
11. Comfort drink
I’m always drinking something. For me, having a warm cup of something within reach is my top key comfort habit. And so whenever I’m feeling particularly agitated or stressed, I always make myself something warm and soothing. (Usually, hot chocolate or ginger honey tea or a light café au lait with syrup).
12. Go to a coffee shop
This is not my most popular habit to give my brain a break, but on some rare occasions, it works very well (it really depends on the day and how I feel).
Usually for this one, I go to my favorite coffee shop, especially if it’s during empty or slow hours. If my mind’s too agitated, I know that being surrounded by too many people and too much noise will be the opposite of helpful, and so being alone helps more. Too much stimulation for me. But if it’s empty or slow hours, then I go there and treat myself to my favorite beverage in a familiar and comfortable space.
Bottom Line
So this is the list of all the habits and self-care activities I turn to whenever my brain feels like scrambled eggs and needs to slow down and unwind.
I’m curious about yours. What activities do you turn to when you need to give your brain a break? Please share them in the comment below.
As always, I hope you have a fantastic day. And remember to give yourself a big hug and take care of yourself.