Vacations are lovely things—and we all want one. Even if you don’t think you do, you do. But even on a holiday excursion, it can be hard to get our brains to unplug. I just spent a week in Hawaii, and while many wonderful things happened, there were also some stressful and frustrating moments. I felt like my brain could use a break from my vacation!
Sometimes we just need a mini-vacation for our minds—no airfare or luggage required. As someone who struggles with OCD, anxiety, and depression, I’ve learned a few tricks to help me decompress. Here are five ways to give your brain a reset:
Take a Break from Screens
We all have small screens in our pockets or purses at almost any given moment. Many of us work in front of screens—I’m staring at three as I write this. Airports and restaurants have them everywhere. Even cars have screens nowadays. We’re surrounded by them. These devices can help with virtually everything, but they can also be detrimental to our health. Studies have shown that excessive screen use can interfere with both brain function and sleep.
It can be helpful to take breaks from all those screens. What does this look like? Maybe it means ignoring social media for a day … or a week. Perhaps it’s leaving your phone in the other room while you work or spending a day outside. Maybe it means taking your family for an evening bike ride instead of sitting together while everyone looks at individual gadgets and the TV plays in the background. Find a way to unplug.
Take a Reading Day
When I was in college, right before finals week, we scheduled “reading days”—time set aside to study and prep for exams. I always wished those days were actual reading days, so I sometimes took a day to read a book purely for pleasure. It may sound lazy, but taking a break from rigorous study can be good for your mental health. One of the best ways to recharge your brain is to get lost in a good book. I’d recommend choosing a physical copy or putting your phone in airplane mode while reading or listening on your device to avoid distractions.
Reading lets you experience the world through other points of view and empathize with people you may never meet. And, you know, sometimes it allows you to fly with dragons or speak to penguins. Reading is magical.
I’ve found taking an occasional reading day can be super beneficial for my work. I return to my desk more invigorated, with new ideas swimming through my brain. So visit a bookstore or your local library, choose a book that draws you in, and spend the day reading.
Try a New Art Medium
I’ve written about this before, but one way to break out of a creative rut and reset your mind is to experiment with different art mediums. There are tons of super cute crafting kits for beginners. You could make a favorite character from yarn or clay, or try a paint-by-numbers project. Choose something low-key and stress-free.
You can even put on some music or an audiobook for a soothing soundscape while you work.
Meditate
I’ll be honest: I have yet to master the Jedi way of sitting down and communing with the Force. I took a meditation class in college and spent half the class napping and the other half dreaming up stories. Meditation is supposed to slow your mind so you can more fully connect with the world around you, but my thoughts rush too fast. For many people who struggle with mental health issues, this restlessness is common. One approach doesn’t work for everyone.
I’ve found two types of meditation that work for me. The first is imagery meditation. If you’re a writer or an artist, you probably already do something similar. Begin by picturing a scene, perhaps on a beach where the waves crash and recede along the shore. Now imagine a boat approaching the shore. Who’s on the boat? Maybe it’s a friendly fisherman who wants to chat about your life. Maybe he takes you on a boat ride. Imagine the ocean lapping against the hull of the boat, the sun sparkling against the waves, and dolphins leaping out of the water. Just sit with the image for a few moments, taking a few deep breaths and letting the story play out. This is imagery meditation. It’s the only “traditional” type of meditation I can do.
I also do yoga. Yoga focuses on breath and movement. Because you’re moving your body, it is easier to stay in the moment. There are tons of beginner yoga videos online that will recharge your brain and benefit your body.
Visit a Favorite Nature Spot
If you’ve spent any amount of time on the internet, you may have heard the saying “go outside and touch grass.” This advice has merit. Sometimes we need to reconnect with reality. I highly recommend finding a local nature spot. Perhaps it’s a nearby park. Maybe your neighborhood has a walking trail, or there’s a lake near your home. Maybe you’re one of those lucky souls who lives close to the ocean. Find a place where you can just breathe and “nature bathe.”
My husband and I often take walks around a local duck pond. It may not be the quietest spot, but seeing geese and ducks glide across the surface calms my soul. Find a place where you can “touch grass,” reconnect with the natural world, and give your brain a break from the artificial glow that constantly surrounds you.
We only have one brain. It’s up to us to keep it functioning effectively. As creators, everything we do requires brainpower; we need to care for our most essential creative tool. Sometimes our brains just need a little vacation to give them a reset. If life’s been stressing you out, try using one of these methods to give your brain a break!
KaTrina Jackson
Author, Editor
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