This evening, I’ll be wrapping up my final work task of a focus group with participants in my Mindfulness research study.

After that – it’s time to switch off!

It’s the first time in many years that I’m not working this Christmas-New Year, and I’m looking forward to a rest!

As I prepare to wrap up my work week for the rest of the year (woohoo!🎉) – including the writing of this week’s Thursday Tips – I am struck by how our brains respond differently to rest when it’s collective.

There’s something special about knowing the whole world is slowing down together.

📍How does collective rest support your brain health?

When everyone takes a break together, our brains receive a powerful biological signal that it’s truly safe to relax.

I often notice how this collective downtime creates a unique opportunity for deeper recovery.

📍3 Ways Collective Rest Boosts Your Brain

🌟1️⃣ Permission to Truly Unplug

I noticed how sometimes we can feel guilty about taking a break.

With everyone having the expectation of a synchronised rest, it’s like a global permission slip for your nervous system to fully relax!

This end-of-year pause is an opportunity to reconnect with your brain’s natural rest patterns

Just like a city becomes peaceful when everyone’s at home, your brain finds its own quiet rhythm when the usual work demands fade away.

🌟2️⃣ Nourishing rest

Find ways to nourish your brain and well-being – a connecting conversation, a quiet walk in nature, playing board games, getting immersed in a good book…

These activities aren’t just enjoyable – they’re giving your brain different types of stimulation and rest patterns.

I hope you take time to enjoy some nourishingly restful activities.

🌟3️⃣ Checking in on others and yourself

This could be a difficult time for some people – is there someone in your community who would appreciate some company?

How are you getting on? Do you need a bit of quiet time with the hustle and bustle?

📍Question for you today

What are you looking forward to, this year end?

Wishing you peaceful and restorative rest,

Dr Sui Wong

PS – my deepest gratitude to medical doctors, healthcare professionals and other key workers on duty when others are taking a break.

PPS – I’ll be switching off too, with next [TT] on 2nd January 2025! I wish you a joyful year end and start to 2025 ❤️ Thank you for subscribing to my Thursday Tips! I hope this has been an enjoyable read since starting this on 29/2/24. I love getting your replies to my [TT] posts! 🙂 – just reply to this and I’ll respond when I next check my emails 🙂