How can you take effective breaks while working in the Creator Economy?

Working in the Creator Economy can be rewarding, but also demanding. You have to constantly produce content, engage with your audience, and manage your business. This can take a toll on your physical and mental health, especially if you don't take effective breaks. In this article, you will learn some tips on how to take breaks that help you recharge, refresh, and refocus.

1 Why breaks matter

Taking breaks is not a sign of weakness or laziness. It's a smart way to prevent burnout, boost your creativity, and improve your productivity. Breaks can help you reduce stress, restore your energy, and enhance your mood. They can also give you a chance to reflect on your goals, celebrate your achievements, and plan your next steps. Breaks can also help you avoid repetitive strain injuries, eye strain, and other health issues that can affect your performance.

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Diana “ladidai” ‎Umana

Culture Writer (Tech, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Beauty, Fashion). Content Consultant. Venture Scout. Music & Media Pro. Techie. Creator.
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Every animate and inanimate entity needs breaks. Breaks are not a nicety—they're non-negotiable. Once you understand that, you won't avoid or forget them. Skip out on breaks and the circumstances will eventually break you.

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2 How to schedule breaks

One of the challenges of working in the Creator Economy is that you may not have a fixed schedule or a clear boundary between work and leisure. This can make it hard to find time for breaks or stick to a routine. A possible solution is to use a timer or an app to remind you to take breaks at regular intervals. For example, you can follow the Pomodoro technique, which involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. After four cycles, you can take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes. You can adjust the duration and frequency of your breaks according to your preferences and needs.

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Bianca Lee

🔊 Toronto Sound Therapist, Artist & DJ | Ex-Bay St. Communicator | Soundscapes & Sound Bath Installations | Sound Wellness Educator | Mentor for Entrepreneurs
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If you're looking to schedule breaks you can approach this in one of two ways: 1) Intuitively - *fiercely* listen to your body and take breaks as you *feel* you need them. To establish a deeper connection with your body you can put your hands on your heart and take some deep breaths while asking yourself whether your body needs a break right now. 2) Structurally - you can set a timer and take a break after. Studies show that 90 minutes is generally a good chunk of time for focused work.

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Diana “ladidai” ‎Umana

Culture Writer (Tech, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Beauty, Fashion). Content Consultant. Venture Scout. Music & Media Pro. Techie. Creator.
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I have breaks scheduled into Google Calendar the same way I have meetings scheduled. If it's not on the calendar, it's not happening. For those who use Calendly, there's a setting where you can insert 5-15 minute buffers between meetings. I highly recommend using it!

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3 What to do during breaks

The quality of your breaks is just as important as the quantity, so make sure that you're taking breaks that are actually relaxing and refreshing. During your break, consider stretching your body and moving around to relieve tension, improve circulation, and prevent stiffness. Additionally, drinking water and eating healthy snacks can help you stay hydrated, nourished, and energized. You can also take this time to breathe deeply and meditate to calm your mind, lower your heart rate, and release negative emotions. Listening to music or podcasts can help you unwind, stimulate your imagination, and learn something new. Reading a book or a magazine can help you escape, broaden your perspective, and spark new ideas. Finally, connecting with friends or family can help you socialize, express yourself, and get support.

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Bianca Lee

🔊 Toronto Sound Therapist, Artist & DJ | Ex-Bay St. Communicator | Soundscapes & Sound Bath Installations | Sound Wellness Educator | Mentor for Entrepreneurs
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You can start with these two suggested questions: 1) What brings me pleasure? 2) What recharges my batteries? For some it may be high intensity activity, and for others it may be a quick disco nap on the couch. Generally speaking, if you're feeling anxious I would suggest breaks that are slower in pace - gentle yoga, listening to a sound bath meditation (my personal fave!), stretching. If you're feeling low energy, I would suggest something that gets your heart rate up like a solo dance party, exercise or a walk around the block.

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Heidi Hauer

Managing Director Brand Advisory | Leadership & Executive Coach | Holistic Health & Longevity Enthusiast
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Abschalten. Aus dem Fenster schauen. Um den Häuserblock gehen. Einen Tee genüßlich und in Ruhe trinken. Am liebsten schätzen empfehle ich meinen Coachees Mikro-Breaks; das sind Pausen die auch nur 30 Sekunden dauern können bis zu 3 Minuten. Das mehrmals täglich eingebaut, ermöglicht es mit mehr Intention die Arbeit wieder anzugehen.

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4 What to avoid during breaks

Not all breaks are beneficial. In fact, some activities can actually make you more tired, bored, or anxious. To avoid these negative effects, stay away from checking emails or scrolling through social media feeds during your break. Watching the news can also be detrimental, as it can make you feel depressed, angry, or fearful. Additionally, playing video games or drinking alcohol or caffeine should be avoided as it can make you lose track of time, become dehydrated or impaired, and even harm your lungs. Therefore, taking breaks should be done mindfully and with activities that will actually make you feel refreshed and recharged.

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5 How to resume work

Taking a break from work can be difficult to return from, as you may feel distracted, unmotivated, or guilty. To get back on track, review your to-do list and set your priorities to help focus, organize, and plan your work. Additionally, set a timer and commit to working for a specific period of time to avoid procrastination and build momentum. It can also be beneficial to reward yourself for completing a task or project, as this can help motivate you and appreciate your efforts. Finally, seek feedback or collaboration from your peers or mentors to improve your skills, learn from others, and grow your network.

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Bianca Lee

🔊 Toronto Sound Therapist, Artist & DJ | Ex-Bay St. Communicator | Soundscapes & Sound Bath Installations | Sound Wellness Educator | Mentor for Entrepreneurs
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One of my favourite tips when getting back to work is to honour the transition you just made from whatever else you were doing, to now work. Transitions can be dysregulating for the nervous system so it's important we take a few moments to get grounded and settled back into the flow of work. To do this, simply set a timer for 2 minutes and focus on your breath. You can close or cover your eyes for additional care to the nervous system.

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6 How to balance work and life

Taking effective breaks is not enough to maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle as a creator. You also need to balance your work and personal life, which means setting boundaries, managing expectations, and making time for yourself and others. To achieve this balance, you should define your work hours and stick to them in order to create structure, avoid overwork, and respect your time. Communicating your availability and needs to your clients, partners, and audience can also help you set clear expectations, avoid conflicts, and build trust. Delegating or outsourcing tasks that are not essential or enjoyable can save time, reduce stress, and focus on your strengths. Joining or creating a community of creators who share your interests, values, and goals can provide support, inspiration, and opportunities. Lastly, pursuing hobbies or passions that are not related to your work can help you have fun, express yourself, and discover new aspects of yourself.

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Diana “ladidai” ‎Umana

Culture Writer (Tech, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Beauty, Fashion). Content Consultant. Venture Scout. Music & Media Pro. Techie. Creator.
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These tips are essential for avoiding burnout. Taking breaks alone won't suffice if your overall work-life balance isn't in order. It's not just about the work you do, or the breaks you take, but the environment you're in that's conducive to your overall wellbeing.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you take effective breaks while working in the Creator Economy?

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2

3

4

5

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1 Why breaks matter

2 How to schedule breaks

3 What to do during breaks

4 What to avoid during breaks

5 How to resume work

6 How to balance work and life

7 Here’s what else to consider

Creator Economy

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How can you take effective breaks while working in the Creator Economy?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Why breaks matter

2 How to schedule breaks

3 What to do during breaks

4 What to avoid during breaks

5 How to resume work

6 How to balance work and life

7 Here’s what else to consider

Creator Economy

Rate this article

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