With the world pioneering with digital advancements – there is an overflow of uninterrupted information, digital noise and pressure to perform.
The constant hustle of landing a well-paying job, having a great body and doing better than others – can often lead you to experience a brain fog or a mental burnout, which can leave you exhausted and tired besides giving rise to mental health problems like fear of missing out (FOMO), anxiety and depression.
That’s not all, when mental fatigue sets in, it leads to a decrease in productivity and creativity too. To fight that battle, entrepreneurs like Rahul Kumar, founder and executor of Experiential Living Projects, organised a three-day Brain Vacation at The Fika Homes, in Agonda.
WHAT IS A BRAIN VACATION?
In a time and age, when you cannot imagine being away from your phone, and multitasking, researchers and wellness coaches feel that the current generation is experiencing the burn.
“What we mean by brain vacation is that everybody is managing their day-to-day lives. It is a routine that never stops and we get indulged in that monotonous role that we forget our purpose in life," says Rahul, from Jharkhand who has his set-up in Himachal Pradesh and in Goa.
"The concept of a vacation is giving your brain a break and disconnecting from the external world to discover your inner self,” adds Rahul.
When mental fatigue sets in, it leads to a decrease in productivity and creativity, too.
He too was consumed by the hustle of being a filmmaker and decided to go on a slower route where he could take time and create something interesting for people.
ART AND CREATIVE MODES OF EXPRESSING
A brain vacation involves various kinds of arts and creativeness to stimulate new perspectives and innovative ways of thinking.
“At the Brain Vacation activities and workshops like symbolic movements, meditations, art therapies, enjoying nature, exploring the area, kayaking and more are explored. Here you can pause, reflect and rejuvenate your mind,” says Rahul, who has a team of experienced professionals to guide their guests.
Varsha, a counselling psychologist and an expressive art therapist, who takes the first ice-breaking session at the Brain Vacation, says she has been with the team since 2017.
“Expressive art therapy is the main modality that I use in these workshops, where we mix up psychological tools and techniques along with art-like movements like dance, drama, visual art, creative writing among others," she says.
The concept of a Brain Vacation is giving your brain a break and disconnecting from the external world to discover your inner self
Rahul Kumar, founder and executor of Experiential Living Projects
"This helps participants to emote better, understand and accept certain situations that they have been through and let go of certain things in a more creative and mindful manner,” she adds.
There were around 15 participants at the Brain Vacation, one as young as a 21-year-old. Piyali Kar, who travelled from Kolkata, comes from the creative field and says events like these help her to be focused and mindful.
“Taking a break is becoming more and more difficult in the cities. Our work is very hectic and there is always something to do. After a point the weekend plans too, become repetitive," says the freelance writer.
"Leaving the city, meeting strangers, who become friends over three days is something you can’t get in a busy city. Events like these help me get a better perspective,” says she.
To relax the mind Goa now has not just its beaches, but also centres like these that can help you turn off and rejuvenate.
