Productivity

In his fundamental work *20-Minute Break*, Ernest L. Rossi describes the psychological background and necessity of these breaks. He refers to the "everyday trance", those moments we have all experienced at some point. You stare into space, appear absent, or get distracted by daydreams. This isn't a sign of laziness; it’s a signal from your body.

Everything in the universe follows a rhythm: the transition between day and night, the tides, and the latest fashion trends. Our bodies also work in cycles. In addition to the sleep-wake rhythm, there are the so-called ultradian rhythms. As soon as we get up, our bodies oscillate in cycles of about 90 to 120 minutes of high performance, followed by 15 to 20 minutes of recovery phases. Of course, nature is flexible. Thousands of years ago, hunters didn't have to take a break during an attack. However, those who consistently ignore breaks pay a high price: chronic stress with all its health consequences.

Stress hormones like adrenaline and dopamine function like a short-term "doping" agent. However, they are not designed to remain in the system long-term. Many people try to mask the stress with caffeine or nicotine, which tends to weaken concentration and increase the error rate in the long run. It is particularly dangerous because the higher you are in the hierarchy, the more costly errors become. Furthermore, these errors often have to be corrected the next day, which further reduces effective productivity.

The Solution: a "Reset" for the Brain. The solution can be quite simple. A walk after lunch or a short siesta. For people under constant stress who find it difficult to calm down, there is a technological support. A special audio mix provided below.

The audio mix combines ocean sounds with so-called Binaural Beats. These beats help slowly lower brain frequencies until you reach a state of deep meditation. Within 20 minutes, you will be gently guided into a trance and then awakened. Often, you won't even notice that you briefly "fell asleep," but you will wake up feeling refreshed.

Even though the research on Binaural Beats is not entirely conclusive, the audio mix works excellently in practice. The body automatically switches into rest mode as soon as it gets the chance. Additionally, the audio mix shields you from your surroundings, allowing you to relax. The Binaural Beats support this process by lowering the brain frequency. In the best-case scenario, it is an effective relaxation technique; in the worst case, it is a very pleasant placebo. As long as you are not an epileptic, give it a try!

How to ChillOut:

• Use headphones
• Close your eyes and make yourself comfortable
• Let yourself drift away for 20 minutes