SLOW DOWN
When under pressure, do you forget to do even the most minor things to give your brain a break? It’s not physical exhaustion you must watch out for; it’s mental fatigue. Humans aren’t meant to focus for long periods, and a simple change to how you approach your day can make all the difference.
Let us explain ▼
WORK WITH YOUR BIOLOGY
Optimal performance requires regular rest breaks of anywhere between 5-20 mins every 90-minutes.
The 90-20 recommendation is from a textbook, so don’t be too rigid about applying it. That 90 minutes could easily be 45 minutes for some or if you’ve had little sleep.
The reactive approach is to notice when your energy is flagging and switch tasks. The strategic approach is to break down your activity into 90-minute chunks.
Remember, it is about mental and emotional breaks.
You'll know when your body or brain is telling you to take a break because:
- Your stomach starts to rumble
- You lose focus and concentration – you read the same sentence over and over again
- Your mind starts to wonder
- You feel irritable or even hangry
- You make errors
TODAY's ACTION
Instead of asking how much can be done in a day, ask how much can be done in 90-minute chunks.