Friday, March 12, 2021 Re-center your mind using these "brain break" ideas
by Kirsten Wandrey | Student Affairs
Taking a break has many benefits. It allows you to be social and connect with others, clear your head from stress, re-center your mind on what really matters and leave you feeling refreshed and awake. Try out any (or all) of these ideas to renew yourself and connect back to the world.
- Briskly walk outside for 20 to 30 minutes.Your body will feel renewed with fresh air and movement. Some convenient spots are Pioneers Park, the Maxwell Arboretum on East Campus, or Holmes Lake.
- Walk to the Nebraska Union or Nebraska East Union to pick up a drink from Starbucks. Or, visit one of the many nearby local coffeeshops to catch up with a friend.
- Grab a dessert to treat yourself. The Gelato Bar in Abel Dining Center, the Dairy Store at East Campus and the Dessert Bar in Cather Dining Center are destinations for a quick escape on campus.
- Go rock climbing at the Outdoor Adventures Center (OAC).
- Rent a bike from the OAC or by using the BikeLNK station outside the Nebraska Union and go for a ride anywhere you like around town.
- Practice a short guided mediation exercise to help you calm down and think clearly again.
- Set aside time just for breaks. It's easy to get caught up in a marathon study session, so set alarms every hour or so to remind yourself to take some time to recenter.
- If you suddenly feel very overwhelmed, look around and find five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell and one thing you can taste. This simple practice can stop your mind from racing with stress and takes almost no time at all.