Guidance Counsellor

Jana Aksamitova

Guidance Counsellor

Holiday Season & Why Your Brain Needs More Downtime

“I am too busy” and “I don’t have time” are the common phrases of a stressed world. We are preoccupied with work and chores much of the time. However, perpetual busyness does not in fact translate to greater productivity and is not healthy. Our brains require substantial downtime to remain fresh and innovative. Rest is not just a vacation or an indulgence, rest is fundamental for us to be able to recharge and maintain stable mental health and well-being. Moments of respite are necessary to maintain a healthy sense of self. 

I have read that one of the biggest regrets of people have at the end of their lives was that they had spent too much of their time busy with work and had not spent enough time with their families. It concerns me to hear that more and more families no longer have meals together regularly. We seem to live in a corporate culture of long work hours, tenuous job security, casualization of work, downsizing and redundancies. Perhaps it’s time to re-think, to take control of where we spend our time and re-assess our priorities. 

During downtime, our brains engage in different, but equally important duties as when performing. The brain consolidates all accumulated data, memorizes the most salient information, and essentially rehearses recently learned skills during rest time. 

The long Christmas holiday break invites families to reflect on how to best spend the time. It provides opportunity to take break from screen technology and to be active in regular exercise. Maintaining healthy sleep patterns by going to bed and getting up at the same time each day, getting at least nine hours sleep each night and avoiding daytime sleep as well as ensuring good nutrition including a healthy breakfast will promote good physical and mental health for students to return to school motivated and enthusiastic about learning. 

Reflection takes time and stillness. Being still does not seem to be a value of modern life, rather doing is what is valued. Our days seem to be filled with doing – doing this and doing that; so little time to do all that has to be done. We complain we don’t have enough time. Technology and screen culture work against us by taking more time and taking our stillness. 

However, at the end of life all we have is who we are, who we have become. Take the opportunity to rest, observe and spend time with your family this holiday season, enjoy your own company without any screen technology, immerse yourself in nature and just be. 

May the spirit of God descent into your home and make your Christmas season as awesome as one held in heaven. May the joy that filled the world at the birth of Jesus Christ be found in your home. Merry Christmas.