Brain Calming Process Exposed by Neuroscientist: Insight into Stress Relief Mechanisms
Ready for a break, but your work emails keep pinging? Here's how to silence that voice in your head, even when you're on vacation.
Frederik Huemmeke, a serial entrepreneur, PhD in behavioral philosophy, and a researcher in economics and neuroscience, has dedicated over a decade to understanding productivity. His book, "Follow your Flow", released in 2024, sheds light on true effectiveness and satisfaction using the latest research and practical tips.
In an exclusive interview with Gründerszene, he delves into how to give your brain a much-needed rest, the real problems with being constantly reachable for colleagues, and why vacations might not be the solution to a stressful life. He also reveals what really works towards promoting mental well-being.
Gründerszene: Hey, Huemmeke! Most jobs require brainpower, and a vacation should ideally provide rest for the brain. How can we make that a reality?
First, it's crucial to establish clear boundaries for work availability during your vacation time. Setting specific hours or days where you will not respond to work-related messages can help create mental distance from work-related stressors.
Second, scheduling specific times to check emails or messages can help prevent continuous interruptions that affect your ability to rest and recharge.
Third, prioritize restorative activities such as reading a book, going for a walk, or practicing mindfulness exercises. Engaging in activities that promote relaxation and mental calmness can help counteract any lingering work-related stress.
Finally, even when some work responsiveness is required, practicing simple relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation can help ensure mental recovery during your vacation. By focusing your mind and calming your thoughts, you can better detach from work-related stressors, thus promoting overall mental health.
What if we make our vacations more effective in promoting mental health by setting boundaries for work availability, scheduling specific times for email checks, prioritizing restorative activities, and practicing relaxation techniques like breathing exercises or meditation, even when some work responsiveness is required? This way, science tells us we can silence that voice in our heads when work emails keep pinging, even during our health-and-wellness focused getaways, contributing positively to our mental health.
