5 tips for having a productive work break
The importance of taking breaks
According to research, taking regular breaks between completing tasks revitalises the mind, combating stress and exhaustion - which occur as a result of long working stints. However, it isn’t as simple as spending half an hour tapping away on your phone to take a break from work life; social media has an adverse effect, significantly ramping up stress levels, according to HuffPost. With this in mind, we’re here to help you take productive work breaks that are more likely to enhance feelings of productivity, concentration, and motivation - everything you need to get stuck back in.
How often should you take a break?
It’s recommended to take short breaks often, rather than taking a longer one occasionally. As an example, you should take a five to ten minute work break, rather than taking twenty minutes every two hours. For forgetful individuals, there is break-monitoring software out there to remind users to take regular breaks.
How to have a productive work break
1) Relax your mind
When taking work breaks, it’s encouraged that you step away from the task at hand completely, rather than keeping tabs open. We all need to disconnect from reality every once in a while, and the best way to do this is to completely relax your mind. This can be tough if you’re in the wrong environment - how can you slow racing thoughts when you’re surrounded by viscous keyboard tapping, a whirring office printer and booming voices? The answer is to break off into an office relaxation room - your go to space for evoking inner peace. From trickling water features to decorative hanging pots and plant walls, you’ll have everything you need to temporarily pause.
2) Have a healthy snack
There’s nothing wrong with grabbing a sneaky handful of goodies from the communal sweet bowl every once in a while, but did you know there are healthier snacks out there that can boost your brain and memory? Foods such as stress-relieving blueberries, magnesium heavy pumpkin seeds, and nuts - which have been linked to a reduced risk of cognitive decline in older adults - all appear on the list. The key is balance, but if you are in need of some brain power, you know what to do.
3) Exercise
Although you may not think it possible, there are plenty of ways to stay fit with a desk job. You might decide to use a sit-stand desk to stretch your legs, or perhaps you fancy trialling out some desk exercises; prepare yourself for some desk squats and thigh squeezes as you improve your fitness on the job. Engaging in physical activity releases feel-good hormones, which contribute to making you feel better in yourself, alongside giving you an energy boost. We’re not saying that you need to become a gym junkie overnight, but a little bit of exercise every now and then will contribute to a healthier, more productive working lifestyle.
4) Go outside
There’s nothing like the great outdoors, and sometimes getting up from your chair on your work break is just what you need to boost your energy levels. Perhaps take a stroll around the office and have a chat with your colleagues along the way, or step outside and enjoy some fresh air. It’s a great way to clear your head, improve your circulation, and you can burn a couple of calories in the process too.
5) Rest your eyes
Computer vision syndrome is a very real problem amongst keyboard tappers, and sufferers complain of eye strain, headaches, blurry vision, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder pain. There are now such things as office nap pods that aim to combat this, providing workers with the opportunity to catch some z’s. But, if you’re looking for an affordable solution, provide your staff with a range of books or magazines to stick their noses in. Don’t forget some comfortable office seating to complete your cosy library!
For more tips on how to create a productive office environment, get in touch with our team today. From comfortable office seating to kit out your break areas, to coffee tables that ensure plenty of room for snacking, we have everything you need to enhance your workplace.