What makes a break nourishing?
I caught myself rushing while on a break yesterday .. I didn’t have much time for my daily walk, and it felt like something that I still tried to squeeze in, but the rushing was defeating the whole purpose.
Luckily, I’m trained to notice this, and so I stopped along the path, and started noticing my surroundings, the colours, the shapes, the sounds, the movement. I also slowed down my pace.
This helped me disconnect from the thoughts that were taking me everywhere else but here.
So, this shift in my attention towards my present sensory experience has helped me have a nourishing break. I felt resourced and was able to return to work with more focus and energy.
Had I continued being swept away by thoughts about ‘what I still must do’, or trying to solve a problem, then my break would be far from nourishing.
💡How we take breaks matters.
The next time you’re on a lunch or micro-break, see if you can shift your attention to what you see, what you hear, what you touch, etc .. rather than trying to solve a work-related problem, or scrolling through your phone.
As you practice this, you will notice that this type of break improves your energy level and your ability to focus.
I live on the edge of Vienna, and I’m lucky to have vineyards and forest nearby, offering a wonderful practice ground to activate my senses. So much to take in and appreciate.
