AFK: Step Away & Refresh
Designed by Bearmore
Inspired by Take ThisCan you remember what it feels like to properly clock off?
Give your mind and your body a break before you go back to the screen. A one-hour reset of stretching, breath work, and a self-reflecting check-in, inspired by Take This, the mental health organisation for gaming communities.
The runsheet
AFK
Step away from ALL screens: the game, the phone, the second monitor. Take This is direct about this. The whole point of the break is that nothing is trying to lure you in or sell you anything.
10 min activity
Neck, shoulders, jaw
Take This names this body-check triad: are your shoulders tense, are you holding your breath, are you clenching your jaw? Work through each one slowly, rolling the neck, opening the chest, letting the jaw relax.
12 min activityBearmore’s thoughts on doing stretching before breath work
This can help because body awareness and any relaxation can enhance more complex breathing practices.
Breathing to relax
After stretching it’s time to work on some conscious breathing to help promote relaxation. A simple box breathing or slow exhale session is enough. The 'When Gaming Isn't Fun' guide flags holding your breath but not realising you have been, as one of three key stress signals; this helps to break that tension.
8 min activityBearmore’s thoughts on doing breath work before self-guided inquiry
This can help because a calm, clearer state can help you approach inquiry with less anxiety and more openness.
Where are you at
Take This frames this as 'Think Before You Click': check your state before you re-engage. Ask yourself what you're actually feeling (frustrated, flat, scattered, fine) and whether you want to return to the session or call it a day.
10 min activityTime well spent.
56m that belonged to you — not the inbox, not anyone else.
The breakdown
Burst evaluation
Wellbeing focus
About this Burst
Take This is a US 501(c)(3) mental health non-profit working to decrease stigma and increase support for mental health in the game enthusiast community and games industry. It combines clinical best practice with a love of all things gamer, providing resources, training and support for gamers, developers, streamers and creators. Best known for its staffed AFK Quiet Rooms at gaming conventions.