The Gift Your Brain Really Wants This Holiday

Here’s how taking a break this season will make you smarter.

Author

Ray Blakney
December 19, 2024

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You made it. December 19th. That sweet spot just before the holidays when the decorations are up, the cookies are calling your name, and you’re juggling your to-do list like an elf with 17 kids.

But let’s get real for a second: while you’re out there wrapping presents, your brain is sitting in the corner tapping its foot. Why?

Because it’s time to wrap up the year smartly and let your brain do what it does best—diffused learning.

Never heard of it? Don’t worry—you’re about to meet the holiday magic your brain has been begging for.

What Is Diffused Learning? (And Why Your Brain Loves It)

Picture this: You’ve been cramming for hours. You stare at the same paragraph, hoping that by some miracle, osmosis will make the words stick. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t work.

Enter diffused learning—your brain’s off-the-clock superpower.

Here’s how it works:

  • When you’re hyper-focused on a problem (called focused learning), your brain’s neurons fire in one intense, concentrated area.

  • When you step back and take a break, your brain enters a diffuse mode—connections happen more broadly, letting those aha! moments bubble up.

It’s science, my friend. When you’re on a walk, baking cookies, or zoning out to Home Alone for the 37th time, your brain is quietly solving problems, solidifying knowledge, and making sense of what you’ve learned.

Fun fact: This is why some of your best ideas come in the shower. Or when you’re halfway through a slice of pumpkin pie.

Key takeaway? Focus and intensity are powerful. But so are rest, play, and a well-timed holiday nap.

Learning Doesn’t Stop Just Because You Do

Listen, I know what you’re thinking: “But Tony—er, ChatGPT—I have big goals! I can’t just sit around and do nothing.”

I hear you. And here’s the truth: You’re not doing nothing. You’re training your brain to work smarter.

Think of diffused learning like a fitness routine:

  • Focused learning is the HIIT workout. Sweat. Burn. Growth.

  • Diffused learning is the recovery day. Without it, you’ll burn out, plateau, or worse—get injured.

Rest is where the magic happens. When you take a break, your brain:

  • Consolidates information.

  • Connects dots you didn’t know existed.

  • Solves problems without you lifting a mental finger.

So go ahead—take the holiday season to let your brain wander. You’ll come back sharper, fresher, and ready to crush your 2025 goals.

How to Do Diffused Learning the Right Way (While Enjoying the Holidays)

Here’s your Holiday Diffused Learning Playbook, because yes—you can have your eggnog and drink it too.

🎄 1. Step Away from the Books (and the Laptop)

Put down the to-do list. Close the course tab. Let yourself step away. Remember: Breaks are not lazy—they’re strategic.

What to do instead:

  • Go for a walk outside (nature boosts creativity!).

  • Do a holiday craft with your kids (or alone—we don’t judge).

  • Take a nap—seriously, your brain will thank you.

🎄 2. Engage in “Relaxed Learning”

Diffused learning doesn’t mean doing nothing—it means low-pressure, playful learning.

Try this:

  • Listen to a podcast while wrapping gifts.

  • Watch a documentary that sparks your curiosity (try The Mind Explained or History 101 on Netflix).

  • Learn how to make Grandma’s famous gingerbread recipe. You’ll practice procedural learning (and eat the results).

🎄 3. Reflect Without Overthinking

Here’s a Tony-level truth bomb: Clarity comes from reflection, not perfection.

Over the holidays, spend 10 minutes reflecting on what you’ve learned this year. Don’t overthink it—just write down:

  1. What you learned (a skill, a lesson, a surprising insight).

  2. Why it mattered.

  3. What you’d like to learn in 2025.

Done. Simple. Effective.

🎄 4. Let Your Brain Wander (On Purpose)

When was the last time you stared at the ceiling and let your mind drift? If you’re like most people, it’s been too long.

Pro tip: Boredom is your brain’s secret weapon. It’s when diffused learning thrives.

  • Stare at the fire crackling in the fireplace.

  • Watch snow fall (or rain, depending on your climate).

  • Zone out with holiday music.

Letting your brain wander is where the aha! moments happen. Trust the process.

🎄 5. Rest, Play, and Recharge (Like You Mean It)

Here’s the big one: Give yourself permission to truly relax. The brain is like a phone—if you don’t charge it, it won’t work.

This holiday, I challenge you to:

  • Spend guilt-free time with loved ones.

  • Play games. Laugh. Watch cheesy movies.

  • Sleep in. Your brain grows stronger during rest—literally.

Remember: Diffused learning isn’t about doing less. It’s about doing what matters most.

Your Brain’s Holiday Message: “I Got This”

Let’s bring this home: Learning is a lifetime journey, not a sprint. Your brain knows how to learn—it just needs you to get out of the way sometimes.

So this holiday season, trust your brain. Step back. Relax. Let it wander, connect, and grow stronger on its own.

Because here’s the best part: When you come back after the holidays, you’ll feel refreshed, focused, and ready to take on 2025 like the rockstar learner you are.

Your Holiday Challenge 🎁

I’ll leave you with this: For the next 7 days, commit to at least one hour a day of diffused learning.

  • Go for a walk.

  • Bake cookies.

  • Read something fun.

  • Stare into space and let your thoughts wander.

That’s it. No pressure. No stress. Just let your brain do its magic.

And when you come back, I promise you’ll see the difference.

Here’s to a joyful, restful, and brain-powered holiday season. 🎄

Talk to you in the new year—where we’ll take your learning to the next level.

With holiday cheer and brainpower,
Ray Blakney

P.S. If you loved this email, forward it to a friend who could use a holiday brain boost. Or reply and let me know: How are you taking a break this season? 🎁

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