Remembering Rest

It’s not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.

-Paul “Bear” Bryant

Does your brain ever burn out? Mine does. I’ll be slogging through a report, or neck deep in research, and my mind will just stop producing quality work. My biggest burnout sign is rereading a sentence several times and failing to grasp its meaning. Burnout happens often, but it doesn't have to. Here are some tips for avoiding mental burnout.

1. Break down prejudice against rest.

2. Use rest effectively.

3. Find a habit that works for you.

Modern Culture demonizes idleness. Certainly, laziness over extended periods is harmful, but rest is necessary for proper brain function and performance. Top athletes around the world know this and put it into practice. Consider this research presented by Scientific American:

"Ericsson has concluded that most people can engage in deliberate practice—which means pushing oneself beyond current limits—for only an hour without rest; that extremely talented people in many different disciplines—music, sports, writing—rarely practice more than four hours each day on average" [1].

Mental rest is necessary for top athletes and professional. Preparation isn't just practice. Mental preparation involves rest. Without it, your brain cannot achieve its potential. If the best need rest, we do too, no matter what our culture says. If we must rest, we need to learn how to use rest effectively.

Sleep and rest can be an effective tool for internalizing new information and engaging creativity. If you are having trouble memorizing a study guide, or coming up with a big idea, sleep can help you out. When sleeping, the brain rehearses new information gained throughout the day. Facts that refused to cement themselves in your brain during a study session might settle in after a nap.

Sleep also engages your subconscious, the nexus of creativity. Dreams are incredible creative acts fueled by our subconscious. When you sleep, your subconscious engages material your mind is engaged with during the day. The collision of the subconscious’s creativity and your problems can yield creative solutions and ideas. Use sleep—and other forms of rest—effectively by exploiting its boost to memory and creativity.

The best way to implement rest is to make it a habit. The body thrives on cycles and set patterns, so establishing a rest/work routine yields consistent results. These routines look different for everyone. My rest schedule involves taking time to write creatively each day—since much of my writing rigorous academic work— and prayer after my workouts. Others may use yoga, meditation, or midday cat naps.

Implement a rest routine that works for you. Your brain will thank you for it.

1. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mental-downtime/

#rest #productivity #sleep #prepare