In its July/August 2009 issue, Experience Life magazine covers a most intriguing topic about the importance of time-outs in our lives. It is a scientific facts that our bodies need a rest after only 90 minutes of focused head work.

According to psychobiology researcher Ernest Rossi, PhD, a leading expert on ultradian rhythms and how they affect human biology, people are programmed to want to take a 20-minute break after every 90 minutes of intense focus or activity. And it’s not just that we want a break, says Rossi, we actually need one if we hope to operate at peak effectiveness and efficiency.

I always knew taking a nap was a good idea. But not only that ~ we benefit from a daily time-out in other ways, too. The article cites the classic example of Google’s 80/20 rule in which 20% of the time should be spent ‘goofing off’. It is meant to raise people’s productivity levels. Given Google’s global grip, I’d say they’re on to something.

Mid-day respites are not just for the IT industry. My husband’s biotech company encourages a round or two of Fussball during their lunch break. Since I work for myself, a brief jaunt outside to smell the roses does me a world of good.

How do you rest each day?