Brain🧠Break Boost: 4 Engaging Products that build healthy habits under $30

Check out this reminder on the impact brain breaks have on our neurobiology. Also, look into the MindUp curriculum if you are interested in further developing your SEL practice. I've taught it for ten years. It WORKS and it's CHEAP (under $30)!! Get It Here*

They now offer digital resources for schools. https://mindup.org/

Ok, so being an educator for over 20 years, I remember getting to the point where I could walk into pretty much any situation, with limited resources and get my teach on. However, no matter how comfortable I got, I always seemed to forget the little, but impactful stuff. I was always looking for ways to build in brain breaks and be consistent but was not focusing on actually building healthy habits. Now that I spend most of my time WFH and focusing on adult wellness, I have needed to refresh my brain break routines. Getting up to go grab a snack every 30 minutes was my red flag that a reset was needed ASAP.

What I find works best are those things you can have on-hand, wherever you are, that just LOOKING at them triggers your brain to deploy a healthy habit. Remember, every time you do something it builds a stronger neural pathway in your brain. The more you do, the easier it gets and less effort is required. Research on productivity shows that taking a 5 minute break every 25-30 minutes not only improves productivity but more importantly reduces or prevents stress.

Here are some of my recommendations that can be found on Amazon, under $30, that will make taking care of yourself, kiddos, students, colleagues as simple as an inhale and exhale.

#1 Healthy Habits Breathing Buddy

Click here*

Ok....so first off, this is just adorable! If you've related to anything I've shared so far in this post then you already know why I love this one. Literally, just one look, one touch and you have a built-in brain break. It's perfect for your workspace, your classroom, your office, nightstand, whatevs!! It has two guided meditations, 4/7/8 breathing and 5/5 calming breath. If you're a teacher or counselor this product is great for those that are not comfortable closing their eyes during breath work. Such a great gentle reminder to 'pause and reset.'

#2 The Classic Magic 8 Ball Reboot

Click here*

Wow! Just like I remember from being a kid but with a healthy habits spin 😎 Another on demand option for yourself or when you are guiding others and in need of a brain break. 20 prompts with activities, useful for all of us , focused on reframing, breath work, gratitude, among a few. I find this to be a great replacement for card decks with prompts. There are some really great ones out there, but I just never seemed to build those into a routine. No Thought Needed...IT's Magic. Just shake and feel better.

#3 Journal Your Way to Healthy Habits

Paperback*

TPT Digital Download

C'Mon... the research is extensive on the benefits of a journaling practice. Check it out.

Yep...I'm the author of this one and I really wanted to focus on the quick/brain break style when creating it. Ya know...what I found really worked in a classroom and therapeutic setting.

Here's a few ways I like to use journaling in a daily routine:

• Build it into "what should I do when I'm done" routine

• Beginning/End of class or session

• Choice Board option

• Stand-ups, morning meeting, class meetings, staff meetings

• Morning Check-in Routine

• Brain Break

• Individual sessions or during restorative process

Check out some of these other options for starting or boosting a journaling practice.

Click Me

#4 Tried and True Expandable Ball

Click here*

You can't go wrong with having one of these around! I have seen ALL AGES benefit. Whether I was teaching, counseling, consulting, parenting, or literally just walking down the hall, when I had the "breathing ball' people WANT to stop and PLAY with it!!

Spending most of my career with middle schoolers, tricking them into this stuff is KEY sometimes. I find it to be a great tool to sneak in breath work and without realizing it, also forming healthy habits. Next thing you know, the student always giving you and your cringe side eye 🤨 is showing others how to take breaths using the ball. It's also a great to use for a talking piece if you hold circles.

They are great to have around the office too! You can use them as a fidget to keep the creativity flowing or for a quick toss and catch to stimulate your senses, breath breaks, and so much more.

Wrap Up:

• Make a quick chart on your current healthy break habits and your unhealthy break habits.

• Analyze what time of day or activities you tend to struggle through more than others.

• Refresh your routine by working on building in one new habit. Your brain thanks you 🧠

Learn more about providing safe, inclusive spaces by focusing on the little things. Click here

And remember...the little things do matter.

Mindfully Yours,

Crystal Tomlinson, M.Ed.

* = Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission with absolutely no cost to you. All opinions remain my own.