The Thinker: December 2024
Is It Time for a Break?
As the year winds down and the festive season picks up pace, one question seems to pop up in almost every conversation: “Are you taking a break?” But what does “taking a break” actually mean? For many, the idea of a “break” goes beyond simply taking time off work. Feeling truly refreshed often depends on how that time is spent and what works best for you. Here are a few things to consider when planning your break:
- Length of Time: What duration feels right for you? A long vacation or a series of short breaks?
- The Joy of Planning: Does organising a holiday give you a sense of excitement and reward, or does it feel like a chore?
- Staycation vs. Vacation: Would sticking close to home provide a sense of comfort and reduce stress, or does a change of scenery better recharge your batteries?
- Quality Time: Is spending time with loved ones what truly revitalizes you or do family dynamics elevate your stress levels?
Research shows that stepping away from work, even briefly, has significant benefits for the brain, boosting longevity, productivity, and overall happiness in our work.
But let’s acknowledge the reality: not everyone has the privilege or capacity for extended holidays or even time off work. For those in this position, it’s worth considering what small, meaningful steps can be taken to create a sense of “rest.”
This isn’t just an individual responsibility—it’s also an organisational one. Workplaces that foster a culture where breaks are encouraged and supported play a vital role in promoting staff wellbeing. Whether it’s flexible scheduling, encouraging regular short breaks, or simply valuing downtime, these small actions can make a big difference.
So, as the year comes to an end, ask yourself (and your workplace): “What does taking a break mean for me?” Whether it’s a vacation, a staycation, or just carving out moments of rest, giving your brain the chance to recharge is essential - for both you and the work you do.
This HBR article goes into some detail on the above considerations: How to Take Better Breaks at Work, According to Research
Taking even short breaks restores our thinking and focus
This article by Jan Packer presents a study comparing the benefits of short- and longer-term breaks from work on the restoration of the individual’s capacity to focus attention on cognitive tasks. Some of the findings are highly congruent with what we know about the neurobiology of cognitive functioning, and have useful implications for professionals and organisations wanting to maximise staff wellbeing and performance.
Key findings and recommendations:
- taking a short break (3–4 days) or longer vacation (1–5 weeks) away from home is able to achieve measurable restorative benefits
- a short break of a few days at a favourite or familiar destination may contribute more to the recovery of attention and other cognitive capacities than a longer vacation in a novel, but possibly discordant environment.
- Spending time in environments that encourage “engagement without effort” (such as walking in nature, beach strolling), allows the brain to take a “rest” from reacting to distractions and focussed attention
- people are more likely to engage in work or work-like activities during a longer vacation than during a short break
- removing environmental cues, such as a personal computer, from the holiday environment wherever possible supports restoration
- limit the amount of time spent in work-like activities (e.g., shopping, cleaning, driving, using a phone or computer) during the break
- a number of short breaks spread throughout the year may be more conducive to employee performance and wellbeing than one long vacation.
Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Growth, Connection, and New Beginnings
2024 has been a remarkable year for us at ThinkWell. In fact, it’s been a milestone year—our very first. Having only launched mid-year, these past six months have been both a whirlwind and a rewarding journey.
Transitioning from roles within CSOs and government departments into self-employment as small business owners has been a significant adjustment. It’s come with challenges, but also unexpected joys. One of our initial uncertainties was the possibility of feeling isolated. Instead, we’ve been pleasantly surprised by the strong sense of connection we’ve built with the incredible people and organisations we’ve worked with.
From leadership support and facilitating reflective practice with Alfred Health, to values workshops with North Richmond Community Health, we’ve had the privilege of engaging with teams tackling some of Victoria’s most pressing health and community needs.
Through training in reflective practice and trauma-informed care with Forensic Disability Services and community disability providers, we’ve observed an impressive commitment to advocacy and support for both staff and service users.
Our work with staff in specialist education programs and state secondary schools has highlighted the vital, yet challenging role of providing tailored approaches in supporting children within these settings and the responsibility educators feel in providing safe and inclusive learning environments for all.
These collaborations, along with many others, have not only strengthened our connection to the broader community but have also reinforced why we embarked on this journey: to work at a systemic level, support organisiations to develop a truly trauma informed approach to their work and build supportive, connected and inclusive environments for both services users and staff.
We’re deeply grateful to everyone who has welcomed us into their spaces, shared their insights, and collaborated with us along the way.
As we move into 2025, we’re looking forward to continuing these partnerships and building new ones. Thank you for being part of our first year—we’re excited for what lies ahead!
Meet Bibi, the ThinkWell beetle
We put the call out for votes to name our ThinkWell emblem, and the results are in! Her name is Bibi - the origins of which are varied and multicultural. We like this summary: “Bibi is a sweet and simple name with a long history”. For us at ThinkWell, Bibi symbolises resilience, symbiosis, longevity and transformation. We also love the fact that, as a Christmas beetle, she is native to Australia, and can be identified by her beautiful shimmering, multi-coloured shell!
Ariane, Jessamy and Clare and Bibi the Christmas beetle wish everyone a restful, rewarding and fun festive season!