Reset your day, better breaks at work, and a mindful break.

The Weekly Reset

Your 10-minute midday break

By midday, most of us are running on digital fumes — bouncing between screens, messages, and half-finished tasks. A short pause away from devices can act like a reset button, giving your brain the chance to step out of constant react mode. Even brief mindfulness practices can improve clarity, boost focus, and lower stress.

Try this today:

• Step away: At midday, put your phone and laptop aside. Out of sight, out of mind. Maybe get out of the office.

• Do one thing: Look at the sky, savour your lunch slowly, or jot down one thing you’re grateful for.

• Track the shift: After 10 minutes, notice your state. Calmer? Clearer?

Challenge: Pick a time tomorrow for a mindful screen-free pause and see how it changes the rhythm of your day.

Signal vs. Noise

Why Mindful Breaks Make Us More Productive

Contrary to the old belief that grinding through the day leads to better results, recent research offers a different truth: well-timed breaks actually boost work performance.

A 2025 Harvard Business Review article, "A Guide to Taking Better Breaks at Work," shows how short respites help preserve energy, refresh your focus, and resist burnout—even in fast-paced roles. Intentional pause points lower stress and support sustained attention, proving that stepping back doesn’t cost productivity—it enhances it, especially when tasks demand consistent mental effort.

In practice, a quick 10-minute midday screen-free break does more than rest your eyes. It gives your brain the space needed to recalibrate, reset, and return sharper than before. Not a luxury—it’s a smart productivity strategy.

My Recommendations for This Week

A Moment Offline

Too many things going on

Sometimes I notice the signs before I admit them to myself: too many tabs open, half-written replies, the sense that I’m scrolling more than I’m thinking. When that happens, I close the lid, leave the phone in another room, and step outside for a few minutes. No plan. Just air.

I pay attention to ordinary things. I take a slow drink of water and let my shoulders drop. My mind still tries to reach for the phone once or twice, like a reflex, but the instinct fades if I give it a moment.

After ten minutes, I go back in. Nothing dramatic has changed, but the edge has come off. I can see the next task clearly. I don’t feel pulled in five directions. It’s the smallest reset: step away, notice where you are, return on purpose. Sometimes that’s enough.

Shaping a better newsletter for you

I’m running a short 100% anonymous survey to learn what gets in the way of unplugging. Your answer will shape the tips, tools, and challenges I share here every week. It’s just one question and takes less than 20 seconds.

See you next week,
Miguel

P.S. If you’ve been enjoying these notes and want to help me keep writing and sharing them, you can always buy me a coffee here — it means a lot. Thank you for being part of this quiet little corner. 💙