What is a downtime?
A time when one is not working or active.
Time for rest or recreation away from one’s usual work or studies.
I hit a mental saturation 2 months ago. Having a timeout wasn’t really an option then because I was having my exams in a month. I kept pushing myself. I hadn’t gone out in a while. My routine consisted of going to college..coming back home..work and work and some more work. I took a week’s gap after my exams to compensate for the lack of sleep but it didn’t help. Even beginning my day undaunted, getting through my ever growing list of work and things to memorize in school seemed as futile as scaling a mountain that continuously thrusts a new stone skyward. It was then my brain told me to stop. It’s full. It needs a downtime.
How did I know it was time for a timeout/ downtime ?
1. Things I genuinely loved doing, started to seem burdensome.
2. Fatigued. Tired. Stressed. Drained. Zapped. Stressed. I felt like a Zombie.
3. Poor quality sleep. I could wake up at the drop of a pin. And even waking up after a 10 hours sleep, I would feel lethargic and tired all the time. All I could think- there was so much to do. So much to accomplish. My brain didn’t sleep.
4. I started eating the wrong proportions at the wrong times.
5. I am someone who is always excited about the next day. I keep planning stuffs to make my day as productive as possible. I felt this desire leaving me.
6. I started having mood swings. Obviously I wasn’t happy with my performance. And this started reflecting on my behaviour with everything and everyone.
7. Lack of concentration. We think the best way to succeed is do as many things as possible. But it is the quality that matters, and not the quantity.
8. I didn’t want to have any human interactions. Only cocooning.
9. I started becoming more forgetful, made more mistakes and couldn’t think straight.
10. There is always a lot of mental stress, tension and accumulated concerns. It was like, I wasn’t the 100% me !
How does a timeout/downtime help ?
Downtime is not a luxury that is taking away your productivity. The opposite is, however, true.
1. Downtime/ timeout helps you to think more creatively and plan more effectively.
2. It helps to expand and solidify thoughts. Encourages productivity.
3. Investing time in a timeout can help you construct meaning out of your life.
4. It will help you to recharge, revitalize and rejuvenate.
5. More satisfaction and contentment with self and work. Helps achieve highest levels of performance.
6. Restores motivation and concentration.
How I coped up with a mental saturation?
1. I started doing things I loved but have been neglecting for too long. I love to dance. Everytime I hear a song, I can’t stop but dance. And you should try that out too! Dance can change your entire mood. Dance can make anyone happy! You don’t have to be Shakira to dance. Do your own kind of dance !
Also listening to songs is my salvation! Unforgettable By French Montana is my Jam.
2. Watch a movie or a t.v. series. Read a good book. Both of these work if you are looking for something lazy as a timeout. Your brain will tell you that you are wasting your time by doing this. But just tell it to SHUT UP ! You need some YOU TIME.
I would suggest F.R.I.E.N.D.S. It is evergreen!
Also I’m reading a book by Preeti Shenoy. It’s very inspiring!
3. Pursue an old hobby. I am terrible at painting. But recently, I bought a pack of glass paints and started pursuing my old, lost hobby. Glass painting.
4. Get a good quality sound sleep. It is a requirement. Do not set alarms for the next day. Wake up only when your mind has had enough rest. Also, daydream. Works for me 😁
5. Mend relationships. There is no denial in the fact that our loved ones will always understand and care for us despite our shortcomings. But if not mended in time, they will lead to fractured relations. I went shopping with dad after ages. I also had a sleepover at my best friend’s house last night. Life is good !
6. Go on a vacation. I didn’t try this one out. But I strongly recommend you to do this. It is a great way to revitalize. A chance to look at your life with a different perspective.
7. I increased my intake of fresh fruits and juices. I have recently started practising yoga. It is a great way to de-stress your body and mind.
8. Invest some time in non demanding tasks, like re-arranging your room, changing furniture, clean and painting your house.etc. When you are idle, your brain might think it is bored. But these non demanding tasks, helps the brain refresh itself and battle restlessness.
9. Avoid social gatherings and social media. It is a killer of downtime. The perfection in people’s life, upsetting news in your news feed and sometimes, negative people will make you even more stressed out.
10. Go for a walk everyday. Sit in a park. Observe things around you. Relate it to your life. Feel the beauty of your existence. Enjoy the positive emotions that come out of things you love.
Tip- If you are someone who constantly battles sinusitis and frequent headaches, I suggest you to try the essential oil therapy. I mix 5-6 drops in my vaporizer and inhale it. Alternatively, you can also mix it in your bath. It helps soothe my mind and temporarily calms my headache. I have been trying tea tree oil and rose oil for quite sometime.
It doesn’t really matter how much time you might need to get back to the old you. But you have to. Once in a while, a timeout becomes a necessity. Mental saturation can take a toll on your mental health. And it will also affect your overall performance. It may take a week, or two weeks or a month or maybe two months. But when you come back, be the best you !
You can follow me on my Facebook page for more updates and upcoming events, by clicking on the link here- OFFICIAL PAGE OF lifeaswehaveneverknownit
Also to know about my little world that consists of med school, dance, make-up, writing and motivation, follow me on Instagram by clicking on the link here- Tajwar Fatma
Nice post
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Thank you Anish.
Have a great week ahead ♡
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That explains a lot. 🤔 🤔
Another great post, Taj.
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Thank you dear Janiey aka twinnie ♡
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❤ ❤
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Your downtime still sounds a bit strenuous! But of course it’s whatever works for you. I love the way you write about dance as downtime. I wish I was a better dancer!
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Thank you so much ma’am ♡
And ma’am you don’t need to be a great dancer to dance. Dance is the cheapest and easiest therapy. All you need is some moves, not great moves, just moves. And you’ll be absolutely fine !
And I m really looking forward to the day when you tell me that you have danced like there’s no Tommorow 😂
Have a great week ma’am ♡
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Thank you for your encouragement!
You are very polite, calling me “Ma’am”! Please call me Penny; I hope we become friends on WordPress!
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We are already a part of something beautiful and it’s an honour to be your friend Penny ♡
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Hope you are fine now…take care…
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I am doing absolutely great Sangbad. How have you been ?
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I’m fine…
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Intresting and at the same time helpful.
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Thank you Shayamal. I hope you are doing great !
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Nicely penned
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Thank you Rohit.
Have a great week ♡
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Thank you
u too have a great one 🙂
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Good consolation. You can do anything that helps to take rest. Rest is not just sleeping or idle time, it is blissful time. Then it helps. So as you said, do what you love and relax… Be blissful! Meditation is another very effective way to get Rest. Nice post Tajwa.
Btb, i would not call it as ‘down time’ 😉 it is actually this is where you are close to God…. Cannot be down😇😇😇
Keep Smiling and Keep Shining!
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Thank you so much sir for your motivating words.
Have a great week ahead !
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😇
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Cool post!
thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thank you Beautiful Anna for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Have a great week ahead Dear ♡
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What a fabulous and true post. We all do need that or everything becomes a task not a pleasure.
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I second You on this one ma’am. Rightly said, everything become a a task and not pleasure.
Have a great week ahead Ma’am ♡
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And you my lovely lady xxxx
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What great tips, Taj! I never thought about the essential oil in a vaporizer! That’s great! I get seasonal allergies that can lead to a sinus infection. Take all the time you need! You are doing some great things to get you back to homeostasis! ❤️😘
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I’m doing absolutely amazing now Ipuna. Though I’m a lil lazy. Lol.
Have a great week ♡
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Ha ha. That is completely ok! Have a great week too, Taj!
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Great tips and I agree! I get cranky when I’m too busy for too long. 😆
Hope you’ve had a good downtime. ❤️
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Yes Nicolle I had. Also, beautiful girl please check your mail 😀
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I will in a bit, thanks for letting me know. 😀
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Very informative. I can so relate. I am currently hitting a downtime myself. I’m taking a mini vacation and I NEED to meditate.
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I am sure you’ll do amazing Candace. Also, I tried reaching You out on Facebook via our group Your best self. But couldn’t because the account is protected. I would be glad if we could connect there.
And yes welcome to the Collaboration. We missed having you in our previous collab.
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Thanks Tajwar.
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This is such a wonderful post…filled with encouraging and helpful suggestions…down time is so very important, and the suggestions you’ve shared are very helpful. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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And I hope people can relate to it because once in a while, downtime becomes a necessity. And these tips are out straight from my personal space. I hope it helps people. Thank you so much for stopping by ♡
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I’m sure you are helping many people! 🙂
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Nice tips
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Thank you 🙂
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Very nice and informative steps
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Thank you so much for stopping by.
Have a great week ahead ♡
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Lots of great and insightful information, thank you so much for posting! 🙂
-Helene, xo
https://angelspartaness.com/
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Thank you so much for stopping by and giving this a read. I hope it helps. And yes have a great week ahead Girl ♡
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Of course:) Super enjoyable read 🙂 Can’t wait to check out more of your content! ❤
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I posted a new blog, why do you need to fail. Have a read. Lots of love ♡
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Phew, went through that list going “Tick, tick, tick…” – I guess another way to cope with mental saturation is simply talking to people going through the same thing. Helps to know you’re not alone!
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Absolutely talking really helps. I’ll add that to the list as well. ♡
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A time out is so so important, especially for students. Because we are humans and not robots.
Like someone once said that the mind is like a sponge, it drops out the excess that it cannot hold.
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And in our profession we hit mental saturation every week !!!!!
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👍👍
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These are really good ideas, I will be incorporating some downtime into my daily routine
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Thank you so much. And do let me know how that works for you ♡
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Great reminder! Thxs!
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Thank you George!!
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awesome insight. I have picked up a few pointers.
thank you…❤
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