“Elon (Musk) is a serial tasker. This means he will focus on one task for an hour—rest by playing a video game, then switching to a new task. Find what works for you.”
In a world that glorifies hustle culture, it’s time to pause and reflect on the incredible benefits of rest. Just as a well-rested body performs better, our minds thrive when given the gift of downtime.
Imagine your brain as a finely tuned instrument. To play beautiful melodies, it occasionally needs to rest between notes. Similarly, our brains benefit from breaks between tasks, a concept often overlooked in our fast-paced lives.
The recent surge in research on rest sheds light on its profound impact on our well-being. It’s not just about sleep; it’s about intentional, restorative activities that recharge our cognitive batteries.
How to rest and recover.
- Rest is Personal: What constitutes rest varies from person to person. It could be reading, spending time in nature, listening to music, or doing nothing. The key is to find what rejuvenates you.
- The Right Dose: Rest is most effective in moderation, like any remedy. Too much or too little can lead to diminished well-being. Aim for around 5-6 hours of restful activities daily.
- Boosting Decision-Making: Rest enhances cognitive control, which is crucial for making rational choices. It helps us resist impulsive decisions, like choosing a salad over pizza after a taxing day.
- Memory Booster: Rest, even during waking hours, strengthens memory consolidation. Just a few minutes of contemplation after learning something can significantly improve recall.
- Mind-Wandering Magic: The brain has an “offline” mode where internal processes dominate. This state of daydreaming or mind-wandering plays a role in memory enhancement.
- A New Science of Rest: Just as sleep science emerged, there’s a growing movement to establish rest as a dedicated field of study. It’s no longer a mere afterthought but a critical aspect of our well-being.
Understanding how rest affects your productivity and happiness is vital to self-leadership. In a world where burnout and hustle culture prevail, embracing the art of rest is a strategic move for individuals and organisations alike.
Rest isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for peak performance and authentic leadership. You can harness its incredible power to turbocharge your life by prioritising rest and adopting personalised strategies.
In Walter Isaacson’s latest book on Elon Musk, even though Elon manages seven companies, he still takes breaks to play video games. “Elon is a serial tasker. This means he will focus on one task for an hour—rest by playing a video game, then switching to a new task. Find what works for you.”
Let’s embrace rest as a tool for success and fulfillment. As the saying goes, “To rest well is to lead well.” Your brain, your business, and your well-being will thank you.
Opinions may vary, but the science of rest is compelling. I encourage you to explore it and share your thoughts on how rest has impacted your life. Together, we can reshape the conversation around success and well-being.
Post inspired by New Scientist Claudia Hammond’s “The Art of Rest” and ongoing research in neuroscience and psychology.
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