Nicole Birthday Month of Rest #TakeaBreakChallenge
August is 31 flavors of “Ahhhhh ….”
Take these 31 breaks during the month of August. Share your experience in our online community in Podia and by sharing on social media with the hashtag #TakeaBreakChallenge
Find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Here’s the #TakeaBreakChallenge calendar in list view:
Aug. 1 – Two minutes of stillness. Set a timer, close your eyes, if comfortable, and take two minutes for quiet and stillness.
Aug. 2 – Read a book. Take 10 minutes to start reading the book 24/6 by Tiffany Shlain. Or you can also listen to one of her podcast interviews such as this from On Being: “Growing Up The Internet.”
Aug. 3 – Take a walk, stroll or roll. No podcasts or music. Just you and movement.
Aug. 4 – Journaling. Journal about your stress/anxiety. Review the situation. Accept what you can’t control. You may even say or write, “I accept that I cannot control …” Investigate sensation in your body. Are there colors or shapes that resemble the sensation? Note what’s happening. What thoughts are coming through your mind? What textures can you feel?
Aug. 5 – Touch a worry stone or stress ball.
Aug. 6 – Phone a friend. Text or call a friend for support, or reach out to the Defy the Trend community.
Aug. 7 – Read: Keep reading 24/6 by Tiffany Shlain or something else.
Aug. 8 – Take a walk, stroll or roll. Feel into your feet or any other body part. Pay attention to how your body feels as you go.
Aug. 9 – Stare at a wall. Try it for at least 5 minutes to help recharge your creativity.
Aug. 10 – Take a break every 25 minutes. Work using the Pomodoro Technique —
work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Repeat up to 4 times and then take an hour-long break.
Aug. 11 – Simple task at home/office. Change a load of laundry, dust some furniture, wipe down a counter to get your mind away from work.)
Aug. 12 – Coloring. Grab a coloring page and crayons, markers and colored pencils!
Aug. 13 – Journaling. If you feel like you’re unproductive, take a few moments to write down all the things you’ve gotten done today.
Aug. 14 – Read a book. Keep reading 24/6 by Tiffany Shlain or something else you’ve chosen.
Aug. 15 – Two Word Check-In. Write two words that reflect how you’re feeling right now in the Defy the Trend community.
Aug. 16 – Simple stretches. Try these for your neck.
Aug. 17 – Go to a coffee shop. You can take your laptop with you or just go for the people watching.
Aug. 18 – Read. Read about the Pomodoro Technique and why it helps your productivity.
Aug. 19 – Go for a walk, stroll or roll in a local park and focus on your sensations: sights, smells, sounds, etc.
Aug. 20 – Check-in. What has been the most transformative practice so far? The most challenging? The most relaxing?
Aug. 21 – Do a craft or some random fix-it project.
Aug. 22 – Read. Take a book off your pile of things you’ve been meaning to read, or keep reading 24/6 by Tiffany Shlain.
Aug. 23 – Feel into your feet. This is especially helpful if you are feeling anxious.
Aug. 24 – Notice detail. Take a long look at a painting or other object.
Aug. 25 – Doodle. Grab some crayons, markers or just a pen or pencil, and let yourself draw any shapes you want.
Aug. 26 – Breath Watching. Practice with my guided meditation on the Insight Timer app.
Aug. 27 – Journaling. Write down at least 3 things you’re grateful for today.
Aug. 28 – Wild Card. Pick any activity from the previous list that you skipped or were avoiding. 😉
Aug. 29 – Soak your feet. Fill a small tub or just take a long soak in the tub.
Aug. 30 – Water your plants, or look at plants or trees outside.
Aug. 31 – Journaling. What has it been like to take breaks regularly this past month? How does it feel in your body? What will your next step toward a break-filled life be? Share your reflections in the community.