Mental Rest Days: Why Fun is Just as Important as Focus

The importance of structuring our workouts around rest days has been well-documented; as beneficial as high-intensity exercise is for the bodies, our hard work only begins to pay off when we give our muscles the opportunity to relax, heal, and rebuild themselves.

The story remains the same for our minds. Working hard and checking off all the boxes on our To-Do lists is important, but efficiency, structure, and unbroken concentration all need to be offset with a little R&R from time to time. Overloading our brains with stress can take a significant toll on our health and wellbeing, and the effects of a fast-paced, do-it-all lifestyle can stay with us for decades.

Read more below about the benefits of giving the mind a break, letting loose, and ensuring a daily dose of fun.

We Can Be More Creative

If you have ever found your creative mind to be more active in the shower, or when you’re simply going for a walk, you will have noticed the benefits that come from stepping away from the desk and doing something distracting for a while. Day-to-day life requires us to keep a tight hold on our brains, and by releasing them from pressing tasks, we can be free to think our own thoughts and tap into our creative brains.

Hiking, baking, coloring, and gardening are all simple, brain-freeing activities that can give our minds the release they need for tapping into creativity.

We Can Feel Excited About Life

Adrenalin is a hormone the body releases during times of excitement. One of the greatest benefits of an adrenaline rush is increased blood flow to the brain. When our brains get an extra dose of oxygen, our powers of concentration and focus are given a boost, too. You don’t need to jump out of a plane or dive with sharks to get that adrenaline pumping, watching horror films, visiting an escape room with friends, and playing games like banana monkey from slotsheaven.com/ca/ are great for adding a little dose of excitement into our day-to-day lives.

We Can Focus on Our Relationships

While productivity and a strong work ethic are great for our professional lives, it is all too easy for us to run out of time to work on strengthening our relationships and spending time with the people we love. The truth is, good relationships take plenty of work, and maintaining that close bond with your partner means reserving plenty of time to spend with them.

Going to the supermarket or working through your bills together still counts as work, and it is all too easy for a long-term relationship to be centered around the trials of everyday life. Put work away for a few hours and enjoy being in one another’s company, free of practicalities and obligations.

We Can Focus and Boost Our Brains with Laughter

Laughter is one of the most powerful tools we have for combatting stress, freeing our minds, and giving our cardiovascular system a good workout. The same feel-good endorphins that we experience when we go for a run or hit the gym are released when we are laughing.

Studies have shown that laughter can help our immune systems stay in tip-top shape and that it can help to chase away any lingering stress that we took on during the week. What’s more, it’s a great tool for maintaining that youthful, healthy glow we all strive for.

How Often Should You be Taking a Break?

The secret is to get ahead of any stress or anxiety you might be feeling and to take a well-earned break before you feel yourself running up against a wall. Balancing obligation with fun is not always easy, but you should remember to give yourself at least a few hours away from your duties each week. Taking vacations, leaving your weekends empty once in a while, and taking regular breaks from the computer throughout the day are all part of creating a happy, healthy lifestyle.