As a healthcare worker, you might encounter days when you need to think of an idea or make an important decision, but you simply cannot. Then, you pause for a while, rest your mind, and suddenly come up with the best solutions that you never thought of before. In this situation, you experience the value of taking a break. Enjoying some mental downtime is always refreshing, but is it always a good thing to do?
What Is a Break?
A break is a brief halt from any activity that involves work, physical exertion, or conscious decision-making. It is that pause you give yourself to rest while still intending to get back to your task after a set amount of time.
What Part of Your Brain Needs Breaks?
When a person rests, what parts of their brain are affected? The answer to this question depends on what part of the brain they are using.
If your work involves a lot of thinking, your brain’s prefrontal cortex or PFC needs a break. This part of the brain is also responsible for tasks that require concentration. Moreover, it handles your logical thinking, executive functioning, and willpower to counteract impulsive decisions. Because of its many vital functions, it needs a break from time to time.
Why Taking a Break Is Important: 5 Advantages
1. It Reduces Negative Health Effects
Sitting for an entire day puts you at a higher risk of diabetes, heart disease, depression, and obesity. The simple act of getting up from your chair to walk, stretch, do yoga, or any other activity can lessen your chances of encountering any of the health risks mentioned.
If your job requires sitting down in front of a desk for a long time, try to take a few movement breaks in between. Having these mini-breaks can be helpful for your physical and emotional health. Try getting up and taking a five-minute walk every hour and notice how it will improve your mind, mood, and well-being.
2. It Helps Prevent Decision Fatigue
Making multiple decisions in a day can wear down your willpower and reasoning ability. In one study by Author S.J. Scott, he noticed that the Israeli court judges were more likely to grant paroles when they had just come from a recent break.
Working for longer than usual without any breaks makes it easy for brain fatigue to set in. In the study above, the scenario led the judges to make the simple decision of saying ‘no’ instead of taking the time to study the case further.
3. It Restores Motivation
Your PFC works hard when executing a goal, but there are challenging goals that will require more sustained attention. Quickly taking your mind off this goal can renew and strengthen your motivation. Meanwhile, prolonged attention to a single task can hinder performance.
Research by Alejandro Lleras suggests that it is best to take brief breaks when facing a long task, such as studying for a final exam or preparing your taxes. Doing so can help you stay focused.
4. It Makes Your More Productive and Creative
Continuously working can lead to mental stress and exhaustion, while taking little breaks can help refresh your mind and stimulate your mental resources. In fact, more ideas come more often to people who take more breaks. Some evidence suggests that taking breaks at regular intervals increases a worker’s engagement level, which boosts their productivity.
5. Resting the brain can improve your memory and learning ability
Scientists have reiterated many times that sleep helps people consolidate memories. However, some evidence shows that resting while awake can also improve your memory. When your brain is in the rest period, it can review and instill in your mind what it has previously learned.
This downtime helps your brain restore attention and motivation. It also encourages creativity and productivity, which are essential in performing exceptionally well.
Conclusion
While taking a break has various positive advantages, there might be times in your daily routine when taking a break does not seem necessary. One such moment is when caring for your patients or getting so absorbed with your task that concentration comes effortlessly.
In these rare occurrences that you get pleasure from doing your job, you probably do not need to take a break. Otherwise, if you want to keep your goals in the spotlight, consider taking frequent breaks to help your mind rejuvenate.
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