The ROI of Rest

Strategically taking breaks and a step back can catapult you forward. You only have so much to give; you need to rest, recharge, and have the energy to continue moving forward.

Cognitive overload = Diminishing returns

There is only a limited amount of brain capacity that we all have. Once we hit the peak, we begin to experience a diminishing return on our effort. We can get sloppy and feel like we are spinning our tires. As physicians, we are at high risk of constantly running on empty. You can only sustain a sprinting pace for so long until something breaks. It’s important to know when you reach that point so you can recognize it and take the necessary mental break you need. Without it, you’re on the road to burnout.

Breaks increase executive functioning

You need to be at peak performance and mental clarity when you’re treating your patients and when you’re thinking about future wealth-building strategies. You already know this, but your prefrontal cortex is the CEO of your brain. It needs to rest and recover to function at the highest level. Billionaire Bill Gates, who is one of the greatest thinkers and creators of our time, takes “think weeks” where he secludes himself to reflect and focus on deep thinking. Similarly, planning a scheduled break into your calendar can help to offload mental stress, allow you to zoom out and see the bigger picture that we can often forget in our day-to-day routines.

Strategically take time off

There are many ways to incorporate breaks into your life. You can either create micro breaks or macro breaks. Micro breaks can be built into your day-to-day where you schedule some time in between seeing patients to decompress and reset your mind. They may be longer when you get home to unwind and relax, such as going for a walk or watching a movie. Another type of break is a macro break. Macro breaks are large periods of time off. For most, this can be an entire day or even a week (if you can afford it). During these breaks, you can plan the trajectory of your life and career. You can reflect on how you’ve been doing and what you want to do in the future. It can provide clarity to continue to move towards your goals.

In conclusion,

Sometimes, to continue moving forward, you need to build in breaks. Breaks help you reset your mind, give you time to relax, and help you get back to your goals with new energy. Taking time off can provide you with new perspectives that you may not have considered before; they can change your way of thinking.

A.K, MD