![]() Instead of just skimming headlines and pull quotes, use a read-it-later app to clip those longer reads and saved them for your 15-minute breaks. We're all pro scanners now, especially of headlines for thinkpieces we don't have time to read. Sweet's "Ballroom Blitz" never fails, nor does pretty much anything by AC/DC. ![]() If I want to get energized, glam rock and classic rock make me smile. Songs with a heavy baseline relax me, like Peggy Lee's "Fever" or Bill Withers' "Lovely Day." A slow tempo sarabande works for me too, especially something by Handel or Bach. I've since learned I do not find snowstorm noises relaxing. The snowstorm sounds initially made my list because I'd heard that nature sounds were the way to go. ListenNotes is a great podcast search engine, and you can filter for podcast length on its free version. (Pro tip: go with something episodic so you don't risk a cliffhanger.) That way, you make it through the whole thing and don't get sucked into a longer-than-intended break. Get a couple podcasts in your subscription list with episodes under 15 minutes. With a lot of personal trial and error, I've found six different ways to use my phone on a break, each one that refreshes me, clears my head, and re-energizes me. We just need mobile break options that improve our state of mind-not bring us down. We don't need to hide our phones during a break. Hardly the most energizing or invigorating experience. When I would take a proper break, too often I found myself doomscrolling through news or social media on my phone. Worse-taking a "break" to do other work-related tasks, like cleaning out my inbox or catch-up reading marketing newsletter subscriptions. Taking too many breaks not taking any breaks. One of my greatest challenges when I switched to freelancing was managing my time.
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