Surviving Stress: Taking Creative Breaks
Photo of a laptop on a table by Sven Brandsma on Unsplash.
Danielle Fatzinger (@bonniecelt) is the current PGR Office Intern and a 3rd-year PhD researcher in Celtic & Gaelic.
Ten minutes ago, when I sat down to start writing this post, I realized that I needed a break to recharge before I got started. So, I turned on the Summer Hits playlist on Spotify, grabbed my favourite shawl (for the drama), and took five minutes to dance like an idiot around my living room. The result? I feel more clear-headed and ready to write about creative things you can do while taking breaks in the workday.
If you’re like me, you may spend a lot of short breaks on your phone. You may have personal responsibilities that mean using break time to work on a different to-do list. This work-from-home environment may mean that your ‘breaks’ involve chores or are tied to when someone else needs you: a pet, a child, a person you care for. You may even forget to take breaks.
But breaks are important. They’re built into the #RemoteRetreat schedule, the Pomodoro technique, and most other suggestions for working well. Our minds can rest for a bit, our eyes can get away from the computer screen, and our bodies can move and stretch. Most of us can agree that breaks make work possible.
But this post isn’t about why you should take breaks. It’s also not about how to juggle breaks when you have other responsibilities interfering (solutions will vary, and I do not have the experience to speak to this; please get in touch if you do and want to share!). Rather, this post is considering things we can do on the breaks we get, when our desires may be limited to making some tea and checking something out our phone.
Dance it Out
My favourite form of break to take now that I’m working from home is a short dance break. An upbeat song, some movement, and the laughter that often results from the shenanigans makes it particularly rejuvenating. It can also be combined with getting more water or making some tea, and other household members can join in. Win-win!
Exercise or Stretch
I usually exercise in the morning or at the end of the day, but sometimes when what I’m working on is particularly frustrating, I’ll add exercise to my lunch break. That could mean extending my lunch break/working day for a full run, stretch, shower routine, or it could mean taking ten minutes to stretch, do a yoga flow, or go for a walk. Whatever I do, the movement usually eases the frustration so I’m ready to work again and provides some relief from sitting all day.
Stretching throughout the day can also help relieve soreness resulting from sitting and working.
Journal or Draw
Journaling midday can be an important part of keeping me focused on work. The very act of putting thoughts on paper allows me to mentally set them aside until later and return to the task at hand. Using a notebook also gets me away from a screen. The same thing can be done with drawing or colouring: something creative with pen and paper.
This even counts if you’re writing or drawing something related to your research (because that can be all that’s on a mind sometimes).
Craft
If you like to make things, you can do it in short sessions: knit a row or a few on a project or work on part of an amigurumi. Choose a relaxing project with steps that can be done relatively quickly, and complete one during a break.
Music
For this one, I mean listening to music or practicing an instrument, if you play something conducive to a quick session. It could be the pick-me-up that helps you recharge.
Nap (or Meditate)
Sometimes you just need a nap. You can also close your eyes and breathe slowly in a bit of meditation, or head outside to find some local greenery to enjoy for a few minutes.
Spend Time Outside
If there’s a green space close by and it’s a nice, dry day, why not head out for a brief walk or a sit in the grass? You can even bring music or a book for double relaxation.
Read a Book
I avoid this one because I’m likely to have trouble putting the book down, but if you’re someone who can stop after a section or chapter, it could be a good break for you.
Daydream
Because it can be nice to let your mind wander.
Snack
For the hungry and nibblers among us.
Cook/Bake
Have a recipe that whips up quickly, like a stew that needs to simmer for a while, or an easy dessert? Throw it together, and then have something tasty to look forward to.
Chores
This seems counter-intuitive, but taking a few minutes to do things like change your sheets, wash your dishes, or throw in some laundry can mean something to look forward to later (clean sheets, a cleaner kitchen, and clean laundry). And a cleaner, more organized space can lead to a calmer mind.
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How about you? What creative or unusual breaks do you like to take? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter @UofG_PGRblog!
