When work gets busy, rest is often the first thing you sacrifice. But nonstop, tireless effort can dull your clarity, creativity, and decision-making. To perform at your best, your brain needs periods of focused work followed by real rest and recovery.
You can get more from your time off by being intentional before, during, and after it.
Give yourself something to anticipate. The benefits of time off can begin before your break starts. Plan experiences you’re excited about, visualise what you’ll do, and give yourself permission to look forward to them.
Detach fully. Resist the urge to keep checking email or work messages while you’re away. True recovery requires enough distance from work for your brain to shift out of task mode, process information, and generate new insights.
Re-enter with care. Avoid snapping immediately back into a packed schedule if you can. Ease into your return, and revisit favourite moments through photos, stories, or other reminders to reinforce the restorative effects of your break.
- Adapted from Resilient Optimism: The Science of Sustaining a Positive Mindset in Tough Times by Michelle Gielan
