How to take a time out for your brain

We’re all racing through life at a hundred miles an hour: heads down, focused on what needs doing right now. The tasks on the ever-growing to-do list, the school run, what’s in the fridge for dinner, making some plans for the weekend... rinse and repeat. We reassure ourselves that this is what they mean by living life to the full: “I’m packing in loads, so I must be doing it right!”

And yet, so often this ‘busyness’ becomes a comfort blanket; the perfect excuse for not trying anything new or dealing with the important-not-urgent issues. It’s never a good time for that tricky conversation with a friend, to think about making a career change, to build some better habits, or to sit with our thoughts and see what comes up.

One of the reasons you feel energised and refreshed after a holiday is that your brain can slow down, and your thoughts can free-wheel. Suddenly outside of the daily grind, you get a flash of perspective on where you focus your precious time and energy. But once or twice a year isn’t enough time to scratch the surface. So, short of a few peaceful months on a desert island for some ‘me time’, how can we step back within the every day and take a pause?

Four ways to turn it all off

1. Go low tech

Set yourself a mission: no electricity or devices for a whole evening. Put your phone and laptop away, turn off the TV, and light every candle you own. Make the most of the calm by spending quality time with a loved one, dig out a good book, a journal, or a pack of cards. Doing gentle yoga stretches can also be a great way to pass the time.

2. A breath of fresh air

Is sunshine starting to peek through? Take yourself, a picnic blanket, and a notebook to your local park. Spend an hour or two letting your mind run free about how you feel, and jot down keywords. Brain dump all your worries onto the page, and see what ideas or connections emerge when you give them a little space.

3. Ditch the multitasking

Juggling three things at once shouldn’t be a badge of honour! Decide what task you are doing next, set a timer on your phone, and let yourself get into the flow of one activity without distractions. Resist the urge to ‘quickly finish that’ or ‘just reply to them’ until your timer goes off. Pat yourself on the back each time you complete a task, and notice how you feel. While this sounds absurdly simple to the point that you might be tempted to skip setting the timer, give it a go - it works!

4. Like to think on the move?

Plan a walking or running route of around one hour so that your feet know where they’re going without you needing to make any decisions en route. Pause any podcasts or music with lyrics. Rather than letting your brain fill the quiet space by thinking about your to-do list, set an intention to think about activities that bring you joy and where you might be able to incorporate them into your everyday routine.