I was stuck in a constant whirlwind of tasks. My days were filled with endless to-do lists that seemed to grow longer no matter how hard I worked. It was as though my body was operating on autopilot, and my mind couldn’t find the ‘off’ switch. The toll it took on me wasn’t just physical—it was mental, emotional, and psychological.
I started noticing the signs early on: constant headaches, dizziness, and a sense of faintness that I couldn’t shake. My energy levels were always at an all-time low, and I felt like I was dragging myself through each day. It wasn’t just the fatigue—I couldn’t focus, I kept making mistakes, and everything seemed to go wrong. I dropped cups, messed up emails, and made decisions I would normally never make. It was as if I was watching myself make errors, but I couldn’t stop it. My brain was in a fog, overwhelmed by a constant sense of urgency to do more.
“Just do more tasks,” I told myself. “Then, I can rest.”
But no matter how much I worked, my to-do list just grew. The more I tried to tackle, the more everything seemed to pile up. There was no relief, no end in sight, and the pressure built like a ticking clock inside me. I kept pushing, convinced that one more task would bring the moment of rest I desperately needed.
Then, one day, my body said, “STOP.”
It hit me hard. I had a blackout. I couldn’t do anything. I had no choice but to stop, my body completely giving out from exhaustion. That was the turning point. I realized that I had pushed myself too far, for too long, without listening to the signals my body had been sending me.
The breakdown was a wake-up call. I was forced to pause, physically and mentally, and it was in that stillness that I began to learn the importance of what I now call Brain Pause Power. I had been running on empty for so long, neglecting the power of taking breaks, of stepping back to reset. And when I finally did, I learned something life-changing: True productivity comes from balance, not constant motion.
The Thing Is, We Have Gotten Used to Feeling This Way
The problem is, we’ve gotten so used to living this way that we don't even question it anymore. Headaches become part of our daily routine. Feeling tired? Coffee and sugar become the quick fixes we reach for. Wine a way to whine down. But these things are just temporary, and over time, they become habits—part of the rhythm of our daily life. We accept that this is how we feel and hope it will just go away.
The truth is, our daily admin to-do lists never stop. There's always something that needs to be done. But life isn’t meant to be a never-ending cycle of tasks. If we’re not careful, we’ll burn ourselves out without ever questioning why we feel the way we do. We need to learn to listen to the signs our bodies are sending us and take action before it’s too late.
The Pressure of Productivity
It doesn't help that society places such an emphasis on being productive. We’re conditioned to think we must always be busy in order to “be someone.” We ask each other, "What have you done today?" rather than, "How have you felt today?" We’re more likely to talk about what we’ll be doing this weekend than what we truly need. Our culture prizes action, not reflection.
And then, we have social media—constantly keeping our minds busy. Even when we do have a moment to rest, we reach for our phones, mindlessly scrolling, keeping our brains in overdrive. Our minds rarely get a chance to truly relax. CLICK here to read 'How to stop the scrolling habit'
What to Do: A Shift Towards Awareness and Action
The first step towards change is awareness. We need to become aware of how we are truly feeling and understand that it’s not okay or normal to feel drained, distracted, or overwhelmed all the time. We can’t keep pushing through hoping that these symptoms will eventually go away.
Here’s what I’ve learned about embracing Brain Pause Power:
Awareness is the first step to change. Acknowledge that something is off, and recognize that you want to feel better. It’s okay to admit that you don’t feel your best, and it’s not normal to live in a constant state of stress and exhaustion.
Learn to take Brain Pauses. These are moments where your brain has no work, no expectations, no demands. Just pure rest. Think of it like charging an electric car—it needs to stop and recharge in order to keep going. Your breaks should be personal and based on what you truly need in that moment. Maybe you need to lie down without your phone and just listen to the stillness. Maybe you need to go for a walk, swing your arms to release some tension, or even just stand still and breathe.
I started by implementing a simple practice: every hour, I would take a 7-minute break. I scheduled these pauses into my day, and during each one, I would decide what I needed based on where I was and what I was doing. If I was out, I’d find a calm place to sit, close my eyes, and just rest. If I was at home, I created a quiet corner where I could be completely free of distractions—no phones, computers, or music—just stillness.
I also set clear boundaries for my screen time. I stopped responding to work messages after 5:00 p.m. and before 9:00 a.m.
The Power of Brain Pauses
After just a few days of incorporating these pauses into my routine, I immediately felt the difference. I was calmer, more focused when I needed to work, and I made fewer mistakes. I was less sensitive to negativity and complaints from others. Overall, I felt happier and more rested. I was sleeping better at night because my brain was being cared for and wasn’t running wild. It felt like I was rebooting, restarting, and waking up again.
Brain Pause Power isn’t just about resting—it’s about restoring balance. By honoring your need for breaks and giving your mind the space to recharge, you can regain control of your energy, focus, and well-being. It's a simple yet powerful shift that allows you to be more productive, present, and at peace. So, take the time to listen to your body, give your mind a break, and embrace the power of pausing. It’s not only okay to stop—it’s essential for your long-term health and happiness.
Your brain will thank you.
Mette Theilmann Founder of HerEdge Cote d’Azur Club
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