This week I pushed myself to my limit.

I used to go to the gym a few times a week. Sometimes a class, sometimes to lift weights, sometimes to do some cardio. But during the pandemic, I was stuck doing solo at-home workouts.

That regimen has pretty much stuck.
So I’ve been doing a lot more living room yoga, neighborhood running, stationary biking, and situps in the kitchen.

But I started lifting weights again this week and yesterday was leg day (never skip leg day). Which, for those of you that know, means that today I can barely walk. My legs are jelly and I feel like an old man every time I have to go down the stairs one at a time, holding the railing.

What it also means is that I worked hard. I give my body a rest. I drink lots of water and eat protein to help the muscles rebuild and recover faster.

Could the same principle apply to our brain?

Perhaps when we do deep work. The signs that our brain has worked hard are much more subtle than our body.

Here are signs your brain is telling you it’s working hard and needs a break

ONE
Getting distracted easily is a sign that we need a break. Our brain has spent a lot of energy trying to focus on one thing (ie monotask) and it needs a break. It’s like squeezing one muscle for a long time and expecting it NOT to need rest. Focus on something else for a couple minutes and then come back to the task.

TWO
Our brain is just… less sharp. Ideas might be slower to come and our writing is a little less insightful or witty. This is when our brain might look for a shortcut– ChatGPT, for example. And while that can be extremely helpful, it might be a sign that we’re fatigued and need a break. AI can’t solve our low-energy problem (and caffeine isn’t the best option, either).

THREE
Our brain looks for energy. You’ll get hungry or thirsty. You’ll seek a nap or feel a need fo social connection. Anything but work. Know the feeling?

FOUR
Most of us will also feel it in our body. Sitting for 20, 60, even 90 minutes at a time without moving our body means that we’re holding the same position for as long. When we move our body–stretching our arms out, flexing our fingers, rolling our neck, twisting our back– we not only allow fresh, oxygenated blood through our body giving us new energy, but we also afford those muscles a chance to recharge and refresh, allowing us to come back and sit again for a sprint of deep work.

The better we get at listening to our brain (and body), the more capable we are of taking the breaks our brain needs, restoring our energy, and doing our best work.

Caveday is a company aimed at improving your relationship to work. We write regular posts on Medium and send out monthly newsletters with productivity tips, life hacks, and recommendations. Sign up for the mailing list here.

Jake Kahana is a cofounder of Caveday. Sign up for his personal emails, called “The Email Refrigerator” here.