Importance of Regular Rest Periods for Productivity

One thing I wish my 25-year-old self knew: Rest is productive. In my early days as a doctor, I didn’t use to give much thought to rest. When I became a mother, I would actively avoid using up the 20 minutes/day lunch break offered by my 9-5. I would see patients during that time so I could go home early and spend time with my children. As a result, I got irritable often and eagerly awaited weekends and vacations. Since then, I actively schedule rest time during my day. There are three types of breaks every working professional should take: 1) Micro breaks (less than 10 minutes) 🌿 Such breaks allow the brain to recharge. By taking a few moments to do nothing, enjoy nature, or watch something amusing, we provide our minds with the opportunity to rejuvenate. 2) Long breaks (over 20 minutes) 🕛 In today's hybrid work models, it's common to have lunch at our desks, attempting to multitask. Unfortunately, this does not provide the necessary mental rest. To fully benefit from a break, it is important to step away. You can sit with friends or alone, savor your meal, do a short meditation, or go on a walk. 3) Extended vacations🏖️🌴 Many people accumulate unused vacation days, which often go to waste. It is vital that we embrace and utilize every opportunity for a vacation. During this time, whether we explore nature, visit new places, or tend to personal matters, our brains have the chance to recharge. Vacations result in improved productivity, increased well-being, and the resolution of accumulated fatigue. I would like to add a 4th as well… 4) Thinking time 💭 Mental workers — people who do cognitively demanding work — should dedicate uninterrupted blocks of time to just… think. 🧘🏻 During this time, you create a distraction-free space where you can ideate, find answers to questions, or just reflect. Thinking time can be scheduled weekly or monthly, and even incorporated into vacations. ⏰ Remember, there are various ways to incorporate breaks into your routine, so choose what suits you best. In my own practice, I allocate a two-hour gap in my schedule between seeing patients in the morning and the afternoon. ☀️ During this break, I go for a walk or indulge in cooking and allow myself to feel completely rested before the next session. This routine has made a remarkable difference in my energy levels, eliminating irritability and preventing fatigue at the end of the day. Whether you are employed or self-employed, I encourage you to make the most of every break. Rest is invaluable for resetting the brain and achieving productivity in both personal and professional life. #rest #worklifebalance #brainhealth #productivity

The value of prioritizing breaks throughout the day shouldn't be underestimated. Make time for periodic and regular mental rest because managing your mental energy is critical to maximizing your time. I constantly have to remind myself to do this every day. I have a hard-driving personality, so it's not in my nature to step away from the task at hand. It feels like I will lose ground or miss something important, and staying "locked in" for hours on end can be addictive. How many times do we tell ourselves: - We don't have time to break away from our desk - We can't step away from what we are currently focused - We can't say "no" to that extra meeting? We do it because we think packing our day is essential to maximizing our output or yielding even a few minutes will make us fall behind. It's why so many people eat lunch at their desks, myself included. Time management has become an obsessive focus in our quest to better ourselves and be competitive. How do we manage our time better, get more done, cram more into our day? I've found that managing my energy helps me manage my focus which then helps me achieve two things: 1) Make more efficient use of the limited time I have 2) Have more stamina to sustain a higher level of overall output throughout the day I have found that intensive bouts of focus for about 90 mins followed by brief breaks helps me stay focused longer and have more sustainable energy throughout the day so that my last bout of effort is nearly as strong and focused as my first. This is consistent with the theory of ultradian rhythms which are natural 90-120 minute cycles of heightened alertness that are often followed by a subsequent decline in focus and energy. During those breaks, I truly break away. I'll take a walk around the block or pick up a book I'm reading, even if just to read a few pages--anything to provide mental relief from what I was previously doing. Afterwards, I find myself refreshed and better equipped to jump back into my work. Try it out. See if it makes reengaging with your work easier and seamless. I'll bet your creativity and your capacity for problem-solving increases. There's something about a walk around the block that helps put difficult things in perspective and brings creative new light to old problems. Don't worry--the work will still be there when you get back! #performancemanagement #performanceimprovement #executiveleadership #mentalhealth #productivity #healthandwellness

After watching 200+ top performers burn out in 2024, I'm calling it: Grind culture is killing your best talent. And "work harder" is the worst leadership advice in 2025. 🔥 Here's what happened to Mark, my best engineer: • Worked 70-hour weeks for 8 months • Delivered 3 major projects ahead of schedule • Then vanished. No notice. Just gone. His exit interview? One line: "I forgot what I was working FOR." The grind culture trap: More hours = more output = more success. Wrong. The reality: More hours = more mistakes = more turnover = less success. Your A-players aren't machines. They're humans with limits. Push past those limits? They'll find leaders who respect them. The Rest-Performance Plan (steal this): • Energy audit: Track when people do their best work • Recovery blocks: 15-min breaks every 90 minutes • Weekly reset: One full day offline (really offline) • Quarterly recharge: 3-day weekend minimum I tested this with one of my client's teams last quarter. Results? • 23% faster project delivery • 40% fewer errors • Zero burnout cases The game-changer insight: Rest isn't the opposite of productivity. Rest IS productivity. 💡 Three ways to start Monday: • Ban meetings before 9 AM and after 5 PM • Replace "How many hours?" with "How much impact?" • Celebrate people who leave on time The best leaders in 2025 won't ask: "How hard are you working?" They'll ask: "How well are you recovering?" Your people don't need more pressure. • They need more permission. • Permission to be human. • Permission to rest. • Permission to have a life. 🌟 What's ONE boundary you refuse to cross for work anymore? Let me know in the comments below ⬇ _______ 👋 Hi, I’m Sharon Grossman! I help organizations reduce turnover. ♻️ Repost to support your network. 🔔 Follow me for leadership, burnout, and retention strategies

PSA: Taking 15 minutes to eat your lunch while working does not qualify as a break. And even if you’re just reading or answering emails, you’re still working. Looking for a job is work too. I’m in audit and accounting with lots of deadlines. I’ve certainly been guilty of the above. That likely earned me a year and a half of physical therapy after a back and shoulder injury two years ago. 🙄 Yep…I’m making an effort to be better now. No matter how busy you are, you need to take care of yourself. This is even more important if you’re in a stressful environment. Let me help. Step 1: Put your computer in screen saver mode. Step 2: Remove butt from seat. Step 3: Resist putting butt back in seat and signing back in to “just check one more thing.” Step 4: Try harder to do step 3 and actually do it. 🤦🏽♀️ Step 5: Move your feet. Get away from your computer and desk. Breaks at your desk do not count. You’ll be too tempted to work, people see you and ask for your help for “just this one little thing,” etc. Take a walk, go somewhere to read a book, grab a snack, actually leave the office/your house for lunch or whatever, etc. Sitting for hours on end in front of your computer all the time only ends up hurting you. Do you really want… ➡️ Increased chance of heart disease ➡️ Neck and back issues ➡️ Low productivity ➡️ Weight gain ➡️ Headaches ➡️ High stress ➡️ Eye issues ➡️ Fatigue ➡️ Burnout Didn’t think so. You should be taking at least a 5-minute break every 60 to 90 minutes. 🕝 Are you good about taking frequent breaks while you’re working? And does leadership at your organization encourage this? Work can be stressful enough. You need to reduce that stress however you can. P.S. This pic is for Lisa Dean who asked to see more of Sherlock. Fur babies reduce stress too. ☺️🐶

Many of my coaching clients share their struggle to take time off and disconnect. It's crucial to understand that taking time off is not a luxury but a fundamental necessity for overall well-being and professional effectiveness. 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵. Consider these vital aspects: 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Continuous work leads to stress buildup, affecting your mind and body. Taking time off allows you to recharge, promoting better mental and emotional health. 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭: Breaks prevent burnout, chronic exhaustion impacting job performance and personal life. 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲:: Time off leads to increased focus, energy, and motivation, enhancing efficiency upon return. 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤/𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: Balancing work and personal life is crucial for a healthy lifestyle, creating boundaries for well-being and relationships. 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀: Breaks mitigate risks of chronic stress and overworking, contributing to better overall physical well-being. 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲: Continuous work leads to mental fatigue, affecting concentration and decision-making. Breaks recharge your mind for better cognitive performance. 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗲𝘆. In our coaching we addresses the reasons for difficulty in disconnecting, from demanding work environments to mindset challenges. Then we shift to focusing on what is possible. 𝗔𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲. Managers, encourage your team to disconnect. Acknowledge that the holiday period may not universally recharge everyone. Some face heightened stress. Foster open communication, offer support, and consider flexible arrangements. Create a supportive environment for a healthier work culture and team well-being. Happy recharging! #executivecoaching #burnout #burnoutprevention #disconnect #wellbeing https://lnkd.in/ek8Nsjbm

Ever wondered why that cup of coffee ain't working anymore? Let's talk sleep. -Once, I was pushing through a critical project. -Late nights became my norm, surviving on a measly 4 hours of sleep. -It felt like the time was slipping through my fingers, no matter how hard I tried to squeeze more work out of every minute. Then, it hit me. -Not a brilliant idea, but a brick wall of fatigue. -My work suffered. -My creativity withered. My overall productivity? -Far from my usual standards. That's when I realized the true cost of ignoring sleep on productivity. I decided to switch gears. I prioritized my sleep, no matter what, aiming for solid 8 hours every night. How? You ask 1. Create a sleep schedule - Consistency is key. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night. 2. Dim the lights - Lowering light levels signals your brain it's time for rest. 3. Disconnect from technology - Blue light emitted from devices can disrupt your sleep cycle. 4. Exercise daily - Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep. 5. Mind your diet - What you eat and drink can affect the quality of your sleep. Avoid large or heavy meals within a couple of hours of bedtime. The result? My productivity skyrocketed. I was more focused, energetic, and my work quality improved significantly. ❎Sleep deprivation isn't a badge of honor. ❎It's a barrier to your potential. ❎Start prioritizing rest today for a better, more productive tomorrow!

Let's talk about something we often overlook but desperately need: REST. 🛌💤 In today's fast-paced world, we're constantly bombarded with messages about hustle, productivity, and pushing our limits. We've become wired to believe that every moment should be spent doing something productive, and that taking a break is a waste of precious time. But here's the truth: Rest is NOT a waste—it's a vital ingredient for success! 🙌 Picture this: You're driving a high-performance sports car. You push the pedal to the metal, zooming down the highway, feeling the adrenaline rush. But wait! If you never stop to refuel, maintain the engine, or give it a rest, what will happen? 🤔 It'll eventually burn out, lose its efficiency, and stop dead in its tracks. The same applies to us humans. We need regular pit stops to recharge our batteries and perform at our best. ⚡ Rest allows our minds to reset, recharge, and rejuvenate. It enhances our creativity, problem-solving abilities, and overall well-being. It's not about being lazy or unproductive; it's about working smarter, not harder. 💡 So, here are a few reasons why embracing rest is essential for personal and professional growth: 1️⃣ Increased Productivity: Counterintuitive as it may seem, regular breaks actually boost productivity. Taking short pauses, going for walks, or meditating can clear your mind, enhance focus, and help you accomplish tasks more efficiently. 2️⃣ Enhanced Creativity: Stepping away from work allows our brains to make new connections, spark fresh ideas, and tap into our creative genius. Many breakthroughs and "aha" moments happen when we least expect them. 3️⃣ Improved Mental Health: Overworking and burnout can have severe consequences on our mental well-being. Rest helps reduce stress levels, combat anxiety, and prevent mental exhaustion, promoting a healthier work-life balance. 4️⃣ Better Decision-Making: Fatigue and exhaustion impair our cognitive abilities, making it harder to make sound decisions. Restful breaks provide clarity, enabling us to make better choices and avoid costly mistakes. 5️⃣ Long-Term Success: Remember, success is a marathon, not a sprint. Prioritizing rest ensures sustainability, prevents burnout, and increases your chances of achieving your long-term goals. So, let's reframe our perception of rest! 🔄 Instead of viewing it as unproductive, let's embrace it as an essential part of our journey toward success. Let's recognize the immense value of rest and its power to unlock our true potential. Remember, my fellow LinkedIn warriors, the most successful among us understand that resting is not a sign of weakness but a strategic move toward greatness. Let's prioritize our well-being, fuel our minds, and watch our productivity soar to new heights! 🚀💪 ❓What do you do to rest and recharge? #RestAndRecharge #ProductivityMindset #SuccessInRest

When we talk about productivity, we often focus on time management. ⏰ And yes, how we manage our time is important. But I believe that how you manage your energy is even more important and can have a deeper impact when it comes to sustaining peak performance. It's not just about doing the right things, but also doing them at the right time, with the right energy. ⚡️ So what does that mean practically speaking? Here are some tips: 📆 Schedule Your Energy, Not Just Your Time: ○ Identify your energy peaks: Are you an early bird or a night owl? Schedule demanding tasks for your peak times and less demanding ones for when your energy dips. ○ Embrace the power of breaks: Don't push through exhaustion. Short, regular breaks can boost focus and prevent burnout. Try the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes work, 5 minutes break) or find a rhythm that works for you. ○ Listen to your body: Pay attention to physical and mental cues of fatigue. Don't be afraid to take a walk, stretch, or meditate to recharge before diving back in. 💪 Fuel Your Body and Mind for Optimal Energy: ○ Eat for energy, not just for taste: Stock up on nutritious, whole foods that provide sustained energy. Limit processed foods, sugar, and excessive caffeine, which can lead to crashes. ○ Stay hydrated: Dehydration can zap your energy and focus. Aim for 8 glasses of water daily and adjust based on your activity level and climate. ○ Move your body: Exercise is a natural energy booster. Even a short walk or workout can improve focus, mood, and overall well-being. 💆♀️ Prioritize Rest and Recovery: ○ Get enough sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night. Optimize your sleep hygiene with a consistent bedtime routine and a dark, quiet sleeping environment. ○ Learn to say no: Don't overload your schedule. Prioritize tasks and delegate or decline those that drain your energy unnecessarily. ○ Schedule time for relaxation: Make time for activities you enjoy, whether it's reading, spending time in nature, or connecting with loved ones. These activities can help reduce stress and replenish your energy reserves. Remember, managing your energy is a journey, not a destination. Experiment with these tips and find what works best for you. Bonus Tip: Share your own energy management strategies in the comments! Let's build a community of support and learn from each other. #Productivity #EnergyManagement #PeakPerformance #WellBeing

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲. 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗮 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸. Many leaders believe that constant work is the price of success. But research and real-world examples tell a different story. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗜𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁 Think of it like a bank account. Every meeting, decision, and crisis is a withdrawal. Without regular deposits through rest, exercise, and genuine downtime, you'll overdraft, and the penalties are severe. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗜𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 When you're stressed, angry, or depleted, the instinct is to push harder toward productivity. But there's no express lane from burnout to peak performance. You must first move through recovery by being calm, grateful, and refreshed before you can truly be productive again. 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁 LeBron James sleeps 12 hours a day. Ultra-marathoner Jesse Itzler never runs more than 7 minutes without a walking break. If world-class athletes understand that rest equals performance, why do we think business is different? 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 ✔️ Block one "Recharge Day" per month in your calendar ✔️ Schedule one week off each quarter (yes, months in advance) ✔️ Protect these dates like you would your most important client meeting 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲 Well-rested leaders make better decisions, inspire stronger teams, and build more sustainable businesses. Your company doesn't need you to be a hero. It needs you to be effective. What's your go-to recovery activity that helps set you up for great days? #Burnout #WorkLifeBalance #Productivity

Time for my semi-annual repost of the research on what back-to-back meetings do to our brains: Hugely important research from Microsoft's Work Lab shows how urgently our brains need breaks between meetings, aligning with scores of previous studies on the critical need for micro-rest between meetings to prevent burnout, reduce stress, and improve well-being. “Our research shows breaks are important, not just to make us less exhausted by the end of the day, but to actually improve our ability to focus and engage while in those meetings,” says Michael Bohan, senior director of Microsoft’s Human Factors Engineering group, who oversaw the project. A few highlights from the research: 💡Breaks between meetings allow the brain to "reset," reducing the cumulative buildup of stress across meetings. 💡Back-to-back meetings don't just cause stress and reduce well-being, they also decrease our ability to focus and engage. 💡Transitioning between meetings when deprived of breaks is a source of especially high stress. How to do shift to actually taking the micro-breaks between meetings the science shows us we all need to be our most productive and engaged: 🎯 Set meeting defaults to 25 and 50 (rather than 30 and 60) minutes- automatically scheduling micro-breaks throughout everyone's workday. Pro tip: It takes only a few seconds to update your meeting default times in Outlook, Google, and other common calendar apps. 🎯 Shift your mindset. While powering through back-to-backs might seem productive, the research clearly shows the opposite is true. Breaks away from meetings are an essential part of a productive, focused, engaged work day. 🎯 Find even more time for screen and meeting breaks by considering other modes of communication. Does this REALLY need to be a meeting? 🎯 Make meetings more intentional. Be thoughtful about who needs to attend, starting and stopping on time (or building in a break), and sharing the agenda ahead of time. What steps have you been successful with implementing to build in micro-breaks and micro-rest? Read the full study here: https://lnkd.in/gUj8uTaC ID: A series of images of brain scans from Microsoft's Human Factor Lab study, which used EEG caps to measure stress build up. One row of scans shows brain images with no breaks between four meetings and shows a clear build-up of stress across back-to-back meetings. A second row of scans shows brain images with micro-breaks between meetings and shows no build-up of stress across back-to-back meetings. #WellBeing #WellBeingAtWork #OrganizationalCulture #WorkSmarterNotHarder #Burnout #BurnoutPrevention -- As always, thoughts and views are my own and do not reflect those of my current employer.