Gianna's Gems - Your Brain Needs a Break!
/Hi there,
As a biology minor, (and Huberman Lab podcast fan) I love brain science… so I was thrilled when a reader shared this great article with me and suggested I work it into one of my blogs (thanks Trish Sowinski!). I hope this will spark interest in the way you think about breaks – both for your own productivity as well as when planning events. I promise, breaks will actually lead to more optimal results for you, even if it’s counter-intuitive in our always-on, more is more culture.
The Science of Stress and Breaks
Alright, let's get our nerd glasses on for a minute. Microsoft teamed up with some brainiac researchers to study what happens to our brains during back-to-back virtual meetings: It's not pretty.
Here's the TLDR:
Back-to-back meetings can lead to stress buildup over time. It's like trying to stuff too many sequins on a dress – more is not more.
This stress shows up as beta wave activity in the brain. Think of beta waves as the "I'm stressed and overthinking everything" waves.
But here's the kicker: Taking even a short break between meetings allows the brain to "reset," reducing this beta activity.
In other words, breaks aren't just nice to have – they're essential for keeping our brains from turning into a frazzled web of stress and chaos.
Why Event Planners Need Breaks (Like, Yesterday)
Now, this research might be about virtual meetings, but let's be real – our job is basically one long series of meetings, calls, and high-stress tasks. We're juggling vendors, client and stakeholder expectations, and trying to create magic out of thin air. If anyone needs a brain break, it's us!
When we don't give our brains a chance to reset:
We might miss crucial details or make silly mistakes
Our creativity takes a nosedive (bye-bye, innovative event concepts)
Our stress levels skyrocket faster than a champagne cork at midnight which might make us more susceptible to illness (not good for the project), or giving us a short-fuse (not good for relationships)
By trying to squeeze more in, you may ultimately end up with results that are suboptimal or worse, that you regret which causes you MORE lost time in the long run.
The Art of the Strategic Break
So, how do we give our brains the breather they're begging for? Here are some of my tips, backed by science:
The 10-Minute Rule: Microsoft's research showed that taking even a 10-minute break between meetings can help your brain reset. So, when you're scheduling your day, build in those 10-minute buffers!
Pomodoro Method: I love using this for task-blocking during the day. You set a timer (like a red tomato one, hence the name) for 25 minutes, and focus 100% on one task. When the timer goes off, you must take a break and do anything to unwind for five before starting the next task block (like watching Marcel the Shell on youtube - don’t judge).
Meditation / Yoga: The study found that meditation between meetings led to more relaxed brain patterns. Try a quick mindfulness session using apps like Calm or Headspace. Yoga Nidra Deep Rest is another great method my husband swears by, though I’ve never gotten into it (sorry honey!)
Nature: Step outside for a quick walk. Research shows that nature can boost creativity and reduce stress. Bonus: If you weed your garden, you also get beneficial probiotics from the soil which will also reduce stress and enhance well being!
Move: Do some stretches, calf raises, or strike a yoga pose like cat-cow to improve blood flow and circulation. Getting your blood flowing helps your brain too!
Social Time: Chat with a colleague or friend. Human connection can work wonders for your mood and productivity. Five minutes of taking a break to connect may end up saving you time in the end by refreshing and re-engaging you after a pause. Plus, if you add in some laughter, it is a natural antidote to stress.
Putting It Into Practice: Event Agenda Edition
Now, let's apply this brain-saving wisdom to event agenda planning:
Build in breaks for your attendees. I recently spoke with an event planner who said her client cut all the breaks/social elements out of an internal event to “optimize the ROI by jamming in as much content as possible”. The result? Attendees were not engaged, didn’t learn as much or enjoy the event as much as they did previously (as indicated by survey results) and they didn’t even save much money by cutting the breaks and fun elements.
Vary session lengths to keep energy high. Mix it up with some shorter, punchier sessions and nix the 60 minute keynotes. My favorite formats to mix in include:
Lightning sessions where each speaker just has five minutes to get their concept across giving you a “snack” rather than a full deep dive.
Community-share-circles featuring customers sharing their personal stories and opening up discussion with fellow customers/prospects
Crowd-sourced content and unconferences
AMA’s
Talk-Show format
Include "reset" activities between sessions – like meditation or stretching breaks, “sandboxes” where attendees can explore interactive, sensory experiences, or even having quiet rooms for people to chill out and nap or get a foot massage to recharge!
Give an hour and a half (or more) for meal times so people aren’t rushed and have time to eat, socialize, even do a quick walk before sitting down for the next session. Plus, this is when many of the most important connections are made, not during content sessions, so don’t skimp on the meal breaks.
Consider adding nature elements or outdoor sessions if possible. Fresh air and greenery does wonders for the mind and keep people awake, inspired, and engaged.
The Gianna Gem Takeaway
Remember, taking breaks isn't just self-care – it's a science-backed strategy! It's like giving your brain a mini-spa day between the chaos of event planning and I can guarantee it’s going to make you feel better and do better in the long run than powering through like a martyr.
The next time you're tempted to eliminate a break to save time, remember what the brainiacs at Microsoft discovered. Your events (and your stress levels) will thank you!
Keep shining and giving that beautiful brain of yours the breaks it deserves.
~Gianna
P.S. I'd love to hear your favorite ways to take a break or incorporate breaks into your event planning. Drop me a comment or slide into my DMs with your best brain-refreshing tips! Let's create a revolution of well-rested, super-creative event planners!
