In the past week in the UK, there has been a +200% rise in people searching for ‘brain rot test’, according to Google Trends, a way to find out if they are suffering from a severe “state of mental fogginess and cognitive decline that results from excessive screen engagement” (as defined by the Newport Institute).
What are the signs of brain rot?
- Increased anxiety, stress, and emotional exhaustion due to doom-scrolling
- Reduced attention span thanks to the short-form video explosion
- Feeling overwhelmedby a constant stream of news
TikTok, in particular, is increasingly leading the brain rot phenomenon and has been named the number one most addictive social media platform. Are we hooked on its algorithm and pressured to keep up with viral content?
Working people are particularly susceptible to brain rot – mainly if their role requires screen time. Interested in this, the digital agency Bubblegumsearch.com has delivered seven light-hearted suggestions to keep brain rot at bay and find new ways to generate productivity and creativity in your working life!
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Dance at your desk
Turn your desk at work into a disco to boost your mood. Play energetic music and have a dance break. Dancing can reset your mind and inspire creativity. Create a playlist that reflects your mood and lets your emotions out.
Silent disco yoga is something else to try. Put on your favourite tunes with headphones and practice some standing yoga moves. Use stretch to keep you energised. A standing desk could be a fantastic addition to your workspace to support you physically and give more variation to your moves!
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Meditate (and eat mindfully)
It’s beneficial to combine physical activity with meditation and mindfulness. Take short, mindful breaks throughout the day and step away from your screen every 90 minutes. Other helpful practices include deep breathing, guided visualisation, a 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise, and mindful eating at lunch. When eating, paying attention to your food’s flavours, textures, and smells gives you a much-needed break from the screen and an instant mental reset.
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Connect with nature
It’s as simple as taking outdoor breaks or turning your work desk into a mini jungle. Embrace the wildness of nature with a desk terrarium or tiny bonsai forest. Natural elements can help reduce stress and boost creativity. Taking short walks or caring for desk plants (Snake Plant, Pothos, or ZZ Plant are particularly desk-friendly) can be an easy way to take a break, refresh your mind, and increase productivity.
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Play with your senses
To create an environment that promotes focus and creativity and reduces stress, consider adding sensory elements such as aromatherapy with scents that transport you or tactile objects like stress balls, kinetic sand, or silicone pop-it toys in playful shapes. These sensory experiences, especially hands-on play, are therapeutic and can also help reduce our screen time.
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Do the Pomodoro
Use the Pomodoro Technique for time management. The basic premise of this technique is to work for 25 minutes straight, then take a quick break. Use this time to be creative, like doodling random images that spring to mind. These short bursts of creativity help balance your work and give you fresh perspectives.
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Challenge your mind
Consider taking strategic breaks with brainteasers and puzzles to improve your problem-solving skills. Engaging in mental exercises can strengthen neural pathways, leading to thoughts you may not have considered. Just as using the Pomodoro technique for creative breaks, strategic breaks with brainteasers and puzzles can enhance cognitive ability.
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Think backwards – and upside down!
Try promoting creative thinking by doing activities like writing in reverse or reading upside down. These tasks challenge the mind and can help stimulate our brain pathways. It’s a great way to refresh the mind, especially if you feel stuck in a rut.
Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.