This post comes from Laura Ricci, who has a neat blog about Winning Ideas at work. Here's an excerpt from a post on May 5, 2006:
Burnout is a biologic reality, not a psychological weakness.
The brain works by creating pathways for specific projects. Communication is passed between cells along these synaptic pathways by electrical charges. The gap between cells has a conducting property. Think of it as a gel that holds a charge, similar to a battery.
Synaptic pathways wear out. When the synaptic pathway is fired continuously, like your last proposal, the gel loses its charge after awhile. Communication slows. By the time you notice a slowdown, burnout has already occurred.
The gel will re-charge, but it takes a day or several, and the pathway must be closed to most traffic.
Laura recommends taking plenty of time at lunch, eating well, even a 20 minute nap.
Gosh this is the 3rd post recently about taking breaks; do we see a theme here? When is my next vacation? Oh yes, June 2. Gotta go take a break now.






I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Ruth
http://www.infrared-sauna-spot.info
Posted by: Ruth | November 17, 2008 at 01:50 AM