Have you ever heard of the term “focus time”? Microsoft defines it’s like “continuous stretches of time throughout the day to get the most important work done.” In other words, you give the task your full attention for a set amount of time.
However, the use of the focus time method need not be applied only to work. You can take the time to give yourself a break for the sake of your mental health. In today’s corporate society, this aspect of life is often overlooked. However, your mental health should be one of your top priorities.
It’s easy to get stressed or overwhelmed with everything you need to do, whether it’s work, school, or just life. This can be especially true if you have many deadlines. It is important that in the midst of all this you give yourself some mental space. Here are five reasons why you should use concentration time to your advantage.
1. Give your brain a break
Without periods of rest, it is almost impossible to function. Think about it – there’s a reason everyone needs to sleep at night. Just as your body needs physical rest, your mind needs mental rest.
Set aside time during the work day when you can temporarily turn off your brain. To remind yourself of this, try schedule it on your calendar. One way to do this is to use a Pomodoro style of work and play. The Pomodoro method involves taking a five-minute break every 25 minutes of work. However, you can use the same basic technique for different time periods.
So what do you do during those breaks? Meditation this is a great way to use the rest period as it improves your focus and helps reduce stress. Another idea would be to practice deep breathing or repeat words of affirmation. And drink water! So many people forget to drink water during the day.
Using these moments to unwind a little will help you not feel exhausted at the end of the day. Your job shouldn’t leave you constantly feeling empty. Regular fatigue, overwork and/or stress can take a toll on your mental health.
2. To avoid burnout
It’s true that there may be busy periods in your life that are inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be like this all the time. Feeling overwhelmed can become a serious problem if left unchecked. You may begin to feel anxious, depressed, or lack motivation to work. In modern terms, this is called burn out.
If you’ve been feeling more stressed, depressed, or afraid to go to work lately, you may be experiencing burnout. It can happen to anyone, no matter what you do. This is another situation where focusing on your mental health can help.
Having time to rest and recharge can allow you to take a step back and understand how you really feel. You may ask yourself do I really dislike my job, or am I overwhelmed? There is a big difference between them, but sometimes it can be difficult to share your feelings. If you’re stressed about work, you’re more likely to associate it with negative connotations.
Setting boundaries for yourself can be the first step to protecting your mental health. They can be as simple as making sure you leave work on time. At this point, it might seem like a good idea to work overtime just to complete a project. However, if the deadline is not the end of the day, keep an eye on your work time. For example, if you work from nine to five, respect those boundaries and log out at five o’clock.
Take some time after work to unwind. Eat a delicious snack, watch an episode of your favorite show, and write in your diary. Whatever helps you de-stress and relax at the end of the day, do it! Being able to relax will help you feel much better in the long run.
3. To improve performance
Have you ever tried to cram before a test the night before? If yes, then you know that it doesn’t work very well. You may feel overwhelmed by all the material, you probably stay up too late and your work may not be the best. Even if you get a good grade, you will most likely feel frazzled afterwards.
This is the effect that regular overwork can have on you. You are unlikely to create your best content because your head is buzzing. Your level performance will decrease because it’s harder to focus when you’re stressed. And what’s worse, you’ll be struggling with a lack of motivation on top of that.
By making time for yourself, you can recharge your batteries. With a renewed mind, you can better focus on your work. This means you are more productive and efficient.
So by giving yourself enough room to decompress, you increase your productivity. If you’re having trouble completing a task or completing your normal workload, consider taking breaks. Your mind will become sharper and you will have time to calm down and remind yourself that you are doing your best.
4. Give your eyes a break
Staring at a screen or reading for a long time can cause serious eye strain. Even with glasses or blue light blockers, your eyes can still get overtired. This can lead to eye pain or headaches, which are painful and can negatively affect your mood.
It’s no secret that when you’re not feeling well, you’re not as productive. If you’re struggling with a headache at work, you’ll naturally get less done by the end of the day. This is of course not your fault. However, taking breaks to prevent eye strain can help with this.
Try taking time every hour or so to look away from the screen. Blink a few times to clear your eyes, then close them for a minute. Also, looking at something far away can help reduce the stress caused by looking at an object up close, such as a screen. It’s like yoga for the eyes.
Giving your eyes time to “de-stress” can help with frequent headaches. Keeping them glued to the screen all day will only keep the migraine going. So give your peeps some rest too.
5. Remind yourself that life exists outside of work.
Depending on your job, it can be difficult to achieve that work-life balance that everyone is talking about. When you feel the heaviness of assignments and deadlines, it can feel like there is no time for balance. However, this is another reason to prioritize your mental health, because your life is more than your job.
Being dedicated to your work is a good character trait. But that doesn’t mean you have to become a slave to your career. This attitude is unhealthy, especially for your sanity. Repetitive late nights and long hours tire you out.
Without a dedicated time to relax and unwind, you will begin to feel the effects of overwork. You deserve more, so give yourself the opportunity to be human and experience life. And with installed boundary between home and workyou will give your mind space to thrive.
Take back your life
In general, if you don’t give yourself time to de-stress, you will feel grounded. Break free from chains by prioritizing your mental health. Focus on yourself by creating moments of downtime and you will begin to feel the positive effects.
Featured Image Credit: Photo by Mauricio Mascaro; Pexels; Thank you!
Fast 5 Reasons You Should Take Time to Focus appeared first on Calendar.