You may or may not have heard of time confetti. They’re basically littles fragments of leisure time we have throughout the day. However, we often don’t use these time confetti to their full potential. Usually when we have breaks, we end up doing other small activities such as answering emails or other small chores which make it feel like we actually don’t get breaks. Here, we will talk about how to plan your breaks and how it will help you optimize your time confetti to make sure you can relax and make the most out of your day.
Planning your breaks
Breaks are super important for the mind and body. They allow the brain to recharge and have been shown to increase productivity, reduce stress, and decrease the need for longer periods of rest at the end of the day. They can also reset your mood, allowing for a more positive headspace!
A few signs that your body needs a break:
- You’re feeling very unfocused
- You’re making silly mistakes
- You’re feeling super unmotivated
- Your workspace is getting super messy
Types of breaks
There are plenty of types of breaks. Here, we will highlight a few and give examples so next time you need some inspo, just check back here!- Disconnecting break
- Every once in a while, it’s good to take time away from your phone and social media. Doing this can create closer relationships, increase your focus, and even help improve your mental and physical health. Examples: turn of your notifications and take a walk, do a quick workout, do a puzzle, spend time with your pet, or do any of your favorite activities.
- Socializing break
- Socializing is very important. It decreases stress by allowing us to speak with others who make us feel heard, wanted and not alone, which then promotes happiness. Examples: going on trips with friends, playing board games with others, and enjoying the company of those around you!
- Energizing break
- Need an energy boost? This type of break helps us to re-up on our energy levels which is very important because we need to make sure we have enough energy to function effectively on a daily basis. Examples: do activities that increase your energy levels like getting some physical activity, listening to upbeat music, meditating, and stretching!
- Relaxing break
- It is important to take some time out of your busy schedules to relax. It helps us have a clearer and calmer mind which helps in positive thinking, concentration, decision making and memory. Relaxation slows our heart rate, relieves tension/stress and reduces our blood pressure. Examples: You could relax by reading a book, knitting, doing some yoga or even taking a warm bubble bath.
Knowing what works for you
Finding what works for you can be difficult, but lucky for you, our minds and bodies need breaks every day and multiple times per day, so this means you have so many chances to figure out the best strategies for yourself! Perhaps keeping notes about the breaks you took, their length, the kind they were and the effects they had could be a great way of helping you find the optimal way to make the most of your time confetti.
For myself, I like taking power naps to re-up my energy levels or socializing with friends. It helps me clear my mind and change my scenery. Afterwards, I usually get back to my studying/work with more energy and I often end up more productive.
So next time you plan your day, make sure to plan your breaks and figure out how to optimize your time confetti as this will lead to better working results and your mind and body will thank you!