Creative Breaks At Work

One of the most important lessons I've learned in my career is the power of taking a real break. It can be easy to celebrate constant hustle, always-on responsiveness, and squeezing just “one more thing” into the workday. But the truth is that results require rest. Creativity needs breathing room. Well-being demands boundaries. At Verizon, we talk a lot about being our best for our customers, our colleagues and the communities we serve. That starts with being our best for ourselves. And that means knowing when to unplug. Whether it's stepping away for a vacation, signing off fully for the weekend, or just taking a walk between meetings—these moments of true rest are not “nice to have,” they’re essential. They give us the clarity and focus to lead well, solve problems creatively and support one another. I recently took a few days off, and it was cleansing in so many ways. I could hear myself think and felt a sense of peace simply because I made the space to pause. Working endlessly is a direct path to burnout. Nothing will impact your efficiency and productivity more than draining every drop of your energy and attempting to push forward on fumes. My best ideas always come after I disconnect — not when I am running on empty. Here’s the catch. You need to make the time vs. take the time. It may sound like a subtle difference, but unless you carve out dedicated space to untether yourself from work, devices and whatever else you are juggling, it just won’t happen. Changing scenery is not enough. You need a full rest and reboot for it to count. Everyone needs to model this, especially if you’re a people leader. Your teams look up to you. If you don’t truly disconnect, they won’t either. So check in with your teams, talk openly about what you’re doing to step away and make sure they have a break within reach.  I hope everyone reading this finds a chance this summer to really unplug, recharge and come back renewed. It’s one of the best investments we can make — in ourselves and in each other. #VTeamLife #Wellbeing #Culture #lovewhereyouwork #lovewhatyoudo

Being 'always on' isn't success, it's slow self-sabotage. 7 simple ways to reset and recharge: You're depleted from being plugged in all the time. Constant connections. Endless notifications. Zero downtime. Your energy is quietly draining away. This isn't sustainable success. 7 power shifts to restore your energy: 1. Start with Stillness ↳First 5 minutes no phone ↳Three deep breaths and one non-negotiable for the day 2. Create Untouchable Time ↳90 minutes daily in Do Not Disturb ↳Phone in another room to remove temptation 3. Master the Energy Stack ↳Deep work before noon when your brain is sharp ↳Shallow tasks (email/admin) for your afternoon dip 4. Practice Micro Resets ↳1 minute breathing break between tasks ↳Look at something 20 ft away for 20 seconds 5. Design Power Blocks ↳Work in 45-minute sprints - followed by a true break ↳Get up and walk or stretch during breaks 6. Set Digital Sunsets ↳No devices after 8 pm ↳Calming nighttime ritual instead 7. Use Transition Rituals ↳5-minute decompress breaks between meetings ↳Three slow breaths: in through nose, out through mouth Success isn't measured by how long you stay plugged in. It's measured by how well you recharge. First thing you'll unplug from this weekend? Share below 👇 -- ♻️ Repost to help your network recharge and reset 🔔 Follow Dr. Carolyn Frost for more evidence-based strategies to thrive at work and life Quote: Anne Lamott

Ever seen a mother bird protecting her nest? The same way you need to protect your creativity—fiercely. As writers, storytellers, and content marketers, our creativity is undeniably our most valuable asset. It's like the secret sauce that makes our ideas pop, the spark that turns a simple concept into a compelling narrative, and the magic that captivates and engages our audiences. However, in the fast-paced world we live in, time is a scarce commodity. The constant pressure to produce, meet deadlines, and juggle multiple projects can often leave us feeling drained and uninspired. This is why protecting our creativity is not just important—it's essential. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭: ♦️Prioritize Time for Creativity: Schedule dedicated blocks of time for brainstorming and creative thinking. This is non-negotiable time that should be free from distractions and interruptions. ♦️Embrace Rest and Recovery: Creativity flourishes when our minds are well-rested. Ensure you're getting enough sleep, taking regular breaks, and stepping away from work to recharge. ♦️Seek Inspiration: Read widely, explore new experiences, and engage in activities that inspire you. ♦️Set Boundaries: Say no to draining projects and protect your time for meaningful work. ♦️Connect with Creatives: Engage with a community of like-minded individuals. Join communities to share ideas and find renewed motivation. Come to think of it, without our creativity, we're just storytellers without their mojo. So, protect that creative spark. After all, it's what makes our storytelling game strong and keeps our passion alive! Nurture it, guard it, and let it thrive. #creativity #inspiration #ideas #writing #storytelling #contentstrategy

Creators are facing a mental health crisis, and now there’s data to prove it. As a member of the Creator Advisory Board at Creators 4 Mental Health, I’ve been closely following their recent benchmark study on creator mental well-being. The findings paint a clear picture of an industry under pressure: ✨ 62% of creators experience burnout ✨ 69% face financial insecurity ✨ 58% say their self-worth declines when content underperforms This is a workforce that powers a 300 billion dollar economy yet operates without many of the protections or benefits of traditional employment. Many creators function as small businesses, often managing teams, deadlines, and income instability without the resources that support long-term sustainability. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡: 1️⃣ 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 REACH. Having a trusted group of peers who understand the pressures of this work can make a huge difference. Surrounding yourself with others who share knowledge, experiences, and support helps reduce isolation and sustain creativity over time. 2️⃣ 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞. Depending solely on one platform or one income stream increases financial and emotional stress. Expanding to multiple forms of monetization (brand deals, products, subscriptions, events) creates flexibility and long-term security. 3️⃣ 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞. Constant connectivity is not the same as productivity. Schedule breaks, take days off social media, and give yourself permission to recharge. True creativity comes from rest, not exhaustion. 4️⃣ 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞. Remember why you started creating in the first place. Success metrics will always change, but your purpose is the anchor that keeps you grounded when algorithms and trends shift. That’s also why James Petrossi, Manasi Patil, and I wrote LEAVE THE FEED: to remind creators that stepping back isn’t failure. It’s how you build something sustainable.

🔥 Pushing Through Isn’t Strength—It’s a Slow Path to Burnout. 🔥 Are You Prioritizing Downtime for Long-Term Success? 🌱 If you’re powering through without pausing, here’s a reality check: ↳ Non-stop hustle doesn’t lead to success; it leads to exhaustion. True #resilience comes from knowing when to rest, not just when to work harder. When downtime is dismissed, performance suffers, creativity dries up, and mental health takes a hit. 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮 𝗹𝘂𝘅𝘂𝗿𝘆—𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀. Without it, the mind and body wear down, productivity drops and innovation becomes a struggle. Here’s a guide to building in essential downtime for emotional recovery, empowering you to keep going without wearing yourself thin. 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲 “𝗨𝗻𝗽𝗹𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗱” 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 ↳ Block time in your day to be offline—no screens, no notifications. Giving your mind a break from constant connectivity lets you return with a refreshed perspective and renewed focus. 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ↳ Use these moments to reflect. Journaling, meditating, or simply being mindful of your surroundings can help you process emotions and regain clarity on priorities. 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁 ↳ Alternate high-energy tasks with moments of rest. Incorporate mini-breaks after meetings or intense projects to allow your mind to reset. 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 ↳ Many think of downtime as wasted time. However, strategic rest is not only productive; it’s vital. Think of it as time invested in maintaining your mental and emotional resilience. 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗟𝗼𝘄-𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 ↳ Whether it’s reading, painting, or taking a walk, dedicating time to activities you enjoy helps you recharge, lifts your mood, and refuels your energy. The Benefits? ✅ Improved mental clarity and creativity ✅ Reduced stress and greater emotional resilience ✅ Sustained performance and focus How do you carve out recovery time during your busy day? Drop a comment with your go-to methods and let’s share tips on balancing downtime with productivity. 🌟 ------------------- I’m Jayant, an advocate for #MentalHealth awareness. #JayThoughts (follow it and help me grow). I write on topics that inspire growth and well-being. Follow me and then hit the bell🔔 to get notifications for new posts. #Leadership #Culture

𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁. 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀. As a professional speaker, facilitator and coach. My work takes a lot from me: • Research, crafting and recrafting, multiple rehearsals, just for short, sharp burst of peak performance • Reading the room all the time, to ensure psychological safety and regulate the emotions • Networking with clients, stakeholders (for an introvert like me, it takes a lot) So how do I recharge myself and restore my energy? I go to the onsen. Most people think of an onsen as a bath. But it’s closer to what the Japanese call "𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘦." Five forces quietly work together: • 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁 awakens metabolism and loosens tensions the body has silently stored. • 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝘀 nourish the skin and gut in ways no supplement can replicate. • 𝗕𝘂𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘆 makes the body feel weightless, allowing muscles to finally let go. • 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 massages the legs, improving circulation without effort. • Being 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗺𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 helps recalibrate my mind that has forgotten how to be quiet. After an onsen, I don’t just feel relaxed. My thoughts become clearer. My emotions become steadier. My presence becomes more intentional. We often treat recovery as indulgence. But it's not! Recovery is not the opposite of productivity – it is the replenishment of inner resources that makes meaningful productivity possible. Sometimes, the most strategic thing you can do for your work is not to push harder, but to let your system remember what “well” feels like. That's the true essence of wellness! How do you recharge? #WholeHearted #WholeHeartedWellness

Confession time: Hustle culture had me fooled. I used to feel guilty whenever I wasn't working. The constant pressure to grind and chase success made rest feel like an indulgence I couldn't afford. But over time, I've learned a valuable lesson: Rest isn't a luxury. It's a necessity. Think of it like an athlete training for a big event. If they just keep training without rest and proper nutrition, their gains will be minimal. It's the combination of intense training, followed by rest and recovery, that leads to growth and improved performance. Here’s what’s worked for me: ◾️ Schedule Your Rest: Treat rest like any other important appointment. Block out time for relaxation, whether it’s meditation, a walk in nature, or simply enjoying a good book. ◾️ Reflect and Learn: Downtime isn’t just about zoning out. Use it to reflect on your experiences, learn from your mistakes, and plan for the future. ◾️ Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to signs of fatigue – mental or physical. When your body is telling you to slow down, listen. Pushing through exhaustion will only backfire in the long run. Today, I'm giving myself permission to rest. And you should, too. Remember, rest isn’t a sign of weakness or laziness. It’s an investment in your well-being, your creativity, and your overall success. So, go ahead and recharge those batteries. You’ll be amazed at how much further you can go when you take the time to rest. After all, rest isn’t a step back – it’s a leap forward. 🏃♂️💪

Hustling for 12-14 hours a day everyday won’t make you successful or wealthy. It’ll break you. Too many gurus believe the grind is everything. They encourage you to sleep less, push harder, outwork everyone. But that’s often just ego disguised as hustle. Exhaustion isn’t a badge of honor; it’s a warning signal. When burnout hits: *Strategy disappears *Decisions get cloudy *Creativity flatlines *Health crumbles Your brain doesn’t consistently produce breakthroughs at 11:30 p.m. under a laptop (or iphone) glow. Those happen on a run, in the gym, walking in nature, in a conversation with a friend, or during real rest. Recovery, recharging, and self-care isn’t laziness—it’s performance maintenance. Can you imagine never fully re-charging your phone at night? Quality rest restores clarity, energy, and leadership presence. Most people don’t rest, they collapse. They grind until sickness or burnout forces them to stop. That’s not rest. That’s recovery from damage. So don’t wait. Schedule it. Protect it. Rest and recover like it’s a non-negotiable meeting with your future self. Here’s a challenge for you: Block off a few hours (or a full day or weekend) for something that fills you up. No emails. No podcasts. No productivity. Because your best self, the one who leads with calm focus, shows up after you recharge. Success isn’t about doing more. It’s about creating space to think, breathe, and lead better.

Real talk: every “creative genius” you admire just learned how to notice things more often. If you want to tell better stories, you have to build habits that feed them. So, here are 10 ways I stay creative (and how it shows up in my work): ★ Reading: Not just marketing books. Fiction, poetry, essays, Reddit threads that should probably be deleted. Reading outside my lane keeps my perspective wide. Because every great content strategist is just a storyteller collecting better words. ★ Keeping Notes: My Notes app is a feral scrapbook. I keep lists of everything, and I mean everything. Things I love, hate, overhear, or can’t stop thinking about. One-liners from conversations. Weird metaphors that hit me mid-walk. Those fragments become hooks, headlines, and emotional cues in my work. ★ Long Walks: I write half my ideas in motion. I try to do 5-mile walks each day, and half the time is spent listening to music or a podcast, the other half is usually me recording thoughts into Notes. When my brain stalls, my legs take over. By the time I’m home, the idea’s already written itself. ★ Sleeping On It: If I can’t crack a story, I sleep on it. Turns out creativity doesn’t always need caffeine or Adderall, it needs rest. The next morning, my subconscious usually has the headline written. ★ Consuming Outside My Industry: Art museums. 2009 Tumblr. Old Sassy magazine interviews. Googling ‘90s shoe ads just to read the copy. If you only look where everyone else is looking, your content will sound like everyone else’s. The best campaigns steal from real life. ★ Letting It Be Bad First: My first drafts are chaos. That’s how I find the tone, rhythm, and truth in a story. You can’t edit silence...only mess. ★ Yapping It Out: Some of my best ideas started as rants to friends or voice notes. Saying things out loud helps me hear what actually matters (and what’s just noise). Good storytellers don’t just write well; they listen well. ★ Revisiting Old Work: I keep a folder of my “almosts.” Ideas that didn’t land. Drafts that weren’t ready yet. Sometimes what didn’t work six months ago just needed me to grow into it. Nothing is wasted if you’re willing to re-see it. ★ Playing for No Reason: No briefs. No metrics. No clients. Just creating for the hell of it: a fake brand, a silly headline, a mock ad. Play is how I remember that creativity isn’t a job. It’s a joy. ★ Music & Lyrics: I’m a lyric girl through and through. Building playlists and reading lyrics is how I reset my brain. A single line from a Rilo Kiley song or a Fiona Apple album can unlock a headline, a tone, or an entire campaign for me. Music reminds me that rhythm and emotion are the backbone of storytelling, whether it’s a verse or a value prop. Creativity isn’t something I “use” for work...it’s how I see the world and always have. This is what keeps my words and my work fresh and alive. 📚: The current stack that’s feeding my brain right now.

My #creative brain has been loud lately, and it’s been telling me one thing. We need to #rest. And honestly, I say that as a 23 year old who, in just the past couple of months, has been juggling work, passion projects, job applications, networking, freelancing, family, trying to stay healthy, trying to stay consistent in the gym, and still wanting to actually enjoy my life. I’ve tried the early morning routines, the late night hustle, the color-coded calendars, the “I’ll rest after this project” mindset… everything. And being real, I don’t think I’m implementing rest the best either. I’m learning just like everyone else.😭 But none of it matters if I’m not actually resting. We act like taking a break means we aren’t serious. We act like pausing will make our ideas disappear. Meanwhile our minds, our bodies, and our spirits are over here waving red flags. So here are a few ways creatives can actually rest for real (and yes, I need to practice these too): 1. Rest your mind. Stop trying to turn every thought into a concept. Go on a walk without turning it into “content.” Let your brain breathe for a minute. 2. Rest your creativity. You do not have to be in “make mode” all day. Watch something beautiful. Read something random. Let inspiration come to you instead of forcing it. 3. Rest your body. Drink water. Stretch. Take a nap without feeling guilty. Rested creatives make better work. Period. 4. Rest your heart. Unfollow the pressure. Social media will make you think you’re behind when you’re not. Close the app and remind yourself you’re on your own timeline. 5. Rest in community. Sit with people who pour into you. Laugh with your friends. Be around people who remind you who you are. 6. Rest your ambition. Your dreams aren’t going anywhere just because you took a break. You deserve ease while you build and joy while you grow. Rest isn’t a reward for finishing everything. It’s part of the process. And I’m really trying to protect my creativity by actually protecting myself.