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Why Your Brain Needs Regular Rest

In a culture where being busy is a virtue, taking breaks can feel wrong. It’s not uncommon for chronically working people to feel guilty for a 5-minute unscheduled rest. And yet, research in the past decade poses to change the way we view breaks and inactivity, overall.

Relevant burnout statistics for 2023

  • Burnout is the cause of 8% of all cases of occupational illnesses
  • Workers and employees who are burnt out are 63% more likely to take sick leave and are 23% more likely to be admitted to the emergency room
  • 56% of employees report that their Human Resource departments didn't encourage talks about burnout while 36% report that their organizations don't have the resources to help stave off employee burnout
  • 43% of employees from over 100 countries claimed to have experienced burnout in 2020
  • Millennials (59%) and Gen Zs (58%) are the most burnt-out generations, followed by Generation X (54%), and the boomers (31%) who have significantly lower burnout rates
  • Those who earn between $30,000 to $60,000 are the most burnt out group (44%)
  • Harvard Business Review estimates the annual healthcare cost of workplace burnout to be anywhere between $125 billion to $190 billion US dollars

Science has come a long way in helping us understand the workings of the human mind. But one of the most enduring interests in brain research is how to optimize brain function so that it can help us do more and accomplish more.

It turns out, putting the brain in overdrive is counterproductive. According to brain science research, if you want to make the best use of your mental powers, you need to rest.

To learn better, rest

A study involving healthy volunteers found that resting early and often can be just as critical to learning as practice.

  • The two critical findings of this study revealed that learning takes place primarily during brief rest periods and not during the learning session
  • Memories are consolidated and solidified during rest periods

What this study suggests is: The timing of breaks should be properly scheduled when trying to learn new skills.

To boost memory, rest

In a separate study, participants were presented with pairs of image sets consisting of a human face and either an object or a scene. Following this task, the participants were instructed to take a rest period before resuming being shown another image set. The study revealed significant correlations between the activities observed in the hippocampus and a specific region of the cortex during the subsequent rest intervals.

What this study suggests: These observed regions of the brain play a significant role in consolidating memories and their performance can be optimized with adequate, properly timed rest.

Image by Markus Spiske on Pexels

To improve work performance, rest

An article explores the importance of downtime and its positive impact on productivity and creativity. It emphasizes that taking regular breaks and allowing the mind to rest can improve focus, problem-solving abilities, and overall work performance.

The author highlights research studies that demonstrate how periods of relaxation, leisure activities, and even daydreaming can enhance cognitive functioning and generate innovative ideas.

What this article suggests is: Embracing downtime as a valuable part of the work process can lead to increased productivity and improved well-being.

To solve problems, rest

Ever had the best ideas in the shower? Scientists found that rest or mild physical activity activates the brain’s default mode network (DMN). The DMN is a network of brain regions that are active when a person is engaged in passive tasks as opposed to tasks that require focus and concentration. The DMN essentially helps the person unwind even while awake and helps shift the brain’s powers of reflection from the outside world towards itself.

The simpler the distraction, the better. The DMN benefits when you take vacations, are meditating, or are working in the garden, or doing other “mindless” tasks. 

Research on the DMN reveals its massive role in replenishing the brain’s stores of attention and motivation, work performance, memory, productivity, creativity, and overall sanity.

Image by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels

Conclusion

In this article, we learned that mental energy, just like physical energy, is a finite resource. If you want to stay at the top of your game, you need to replenish your mental resources by having adequate rest, whether that means a 15-minute power nap in the middle of the workday or having a good 8 hours of sleep every night. Regardless of how busy your schedule is, make time for proper rest.

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Next: The Powerful Benefits of Gratitude

References

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