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Image: <\/em>Brooke Cagle<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Contemporary work culture tends to glorify busyness. We often feel pressured into working constantly, pausing only to lament how few hours there are in the day. But our frantic schedules tend to neglect one important fact: working incessantly isn\u2019t sustainable. It isn\u2019t healthy and it doesn\u2019t result in good quality work. In fact, part of working hard \u2014 and well \u2014 involves integrating work breaks<\/strong> into our day.<\/p>\n This may seem counterintuitive at first, especially if you\u2019re struggling to get on top of your workload and meet your deadlines. You need to work more, not less, right? Not necessarily. Scheduling 10 to 15-minute breaks throughout your day can actually help you get more done, more quickly. Breaks can boost your productivity<\/a>, improve your creativity, and prevent you from experiencing productivity-killing burnout.\u00a0<\/p>\n Here, we take a look at the benefits of work breaks, the different types you can take, and why burnout is such a big deal. We also offer a practical solution to help you step away from your desk from time to time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cI\u2019m too busy to take a break,\u201d we tell ourselves. In the panic of the moment, time not working feels like an idle and unjustifiable indulgence. But our brains aren\u2019t designed to concentrate for extended periods. In fact, most studies suggest that we can only really focus for between 10 and 50 minutes at a time<\/a>. Beyond that, we might not necessarily be doing valuable work.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a look at a few of the most important benefits of scheduling breaks<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Allowing your brain to shift between focused and unfocused periods gives it the chance to absorb what you\u2019ve been thinking about and retain it. Taking a step back strengthens the connections between neurons in the brain, which aids memory.\u00a0<\/p>\n Some studies on mice<\/a> have shown that they were able to remember what they had learnt better if they were given longer breaks between their learning periods. This applied both during daily experiments, and over the course of several days.<\/p>\n \u201cSleep on it\u201d is great advice, and it\u2019s regularly dispensed for a reason. When you\u2019re tired, it can be hard to make a decision. What\u2019s more, the daily demands of making countless decisions can lead to decision fatigue<\/a>. This can make it challenging to see the answers to important issues clearly.\u00a0<\/p>\n Metaphorically or literally sleeping on something allows you to see it objectively and to come to more level-headed conclusions. Whether you\u2019re setting a rate for a new client<\/a>, or exploring ways to bill your time better<\/a>, taking breaks during your decision-making processes can ensure your final choice is the right one.<\/p>\n \u201cAha\u201d moments are the instances of inspiration and clarity that help you achieve breakthroughs during your workday. If you work as a creative, this might be coming up with a great campaign idea. If you\u2019re a CEO, it might be achieving some insight on your company\u2019s next steps.<\/p>\n These ideas don\u2019t come when we\u2019re tired, stressed and overworked, however. Instead, they\u2019re likely to arrive when we lift ourselves out of a mental swamp and come up for air. (There\u2019s a reason why waterproof notepads<\/a> are a thing \u2014 you\u2019re not alone if you have some of your best ideas in the shower.)<\/p>\n Psychology professor Alejandro Lleras has discussed a phenomenon called Troxier Fading<\/a>. It refers to the fact that giving continual attention to a stationary object in your peripheral vision causes the item to disappear. He believes the same applies to our thinking life. Too much focus on one task, and the task will \u201cdisappear,\u201d making it difficult to resolve or move forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n “We propose that deactivating and reactivating your goals allows you to stay focused,” Lleras says. “From a practical standpoint, our research suggests that, when faced with long tasks (such as studying before a final exam or doing your taxes), it is best to impose brief breaks on yourself. Brief mental breaks will actually help you stay focused on your task!”<\/p>\n In order for creativity to thrive, you need mental freedom. You need to have the energy and inclination to play, to push boundaries, to explore and experiment. Pressured environments only thwart this process.<\/p>\n Research has shown that consciously scheduling breaks to refresh your thinking can help you be more creative<\/a>. The advice is that you should set time aside at regular intervals, and that using a time management tool (like Timing<\/a>!) can help.<\/p>\n Image: Brooke Cagle<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n If you\u2019re not used to taking working breaks, it can be difficult to know what to do. So, how do you occupy this time so that you reap the benefits? Here are a few options for you. While some are obvious, others are less so.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no one-size-fits-all approach to work breaks. You\u2019ll likely need to incorporate a variety into your schedule depending on how you\u2019re feeling and what you would like your beak to achieve.\u00a0<\/p>\n Image: <\/em>Susanna Marsiglia<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Burnout has been declared an official medical diagnosis<\/a> by the World Health Organization. It\u2019s defined as a syndrome \u201cresulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.\u201d It often manifests as physical, mental and emotional exhaustion that makes it difficult to get work done. In one survey<\/a>, 77% of respondents reported experiencing burnout in their current job. And more than half said they\u2019d experienced it more than once.\u00a0<\/p>\n Wondering if you\u2019re burnt out? If you are, you might be experiencing some of the following symptoms:<\/p>\n While you may think that the only antidote to burnout<\/a> is several weeks on a tropical island surrounded by novels and cocktails. The reality is that you need a more sustainable and consistent solution. Integrating scheduled short breaks throughout your day can help prevent you from reaching breaking point.\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to rest and re-center regularly. Remember that you are a human and not a machine. If you need help with burnout, turn to a professional. Speaking to a therapist can help.<\/p>\n Image: <\/em>Ayo Ogunseinde<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n By now, it should be clear that taking breaks can help you become a better worker and a healthier person. But this process requires discipline and intentionality. An effective, restorative break isn\u2019t a few minutes scrolling through social media, or zoning out while sifting through your inbox. Instead, a break is a deliberate, well-planned space where you take care of your mind and body during your workday.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t want to take a break in the middle of a creative flow<\/a>, or during your most productive work hours<\/a>. Rather, you want to take a break when you\u2019re likely to become distracted, or when your body naturally signals for you to stop working.<\/p>\n Timing can help you to monitor natural lags in productivity. In the Stats tab, for example, you\u2019ll see that your most productive hours are displayed in a green bar graph in the central column. This will help you identify when you\u2019re most focused and productive \u2014 and when you may need to call it quits for a few minutes. In the instance below, there\u2019s a lull over lunchtime and in the late afternoon.<\/p>\n If your graph shows a lunchtime energy lapse, try scheduling a 30-minute break so that you can reboot your brain. Half an hour might sound like a long time, but if the rest of your afternoon is focused and productive, it\u2019ll be worth it. Remember that shorter, regular breaks, at least every hour, are a good idea, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ask yourself what you\u2019ll need at any given time. Is it a nap or an invigorating walk? You might feel differently from day to day. Meditating regularly can help you feel more in touch with what your body needs.<\/p>\n If you enable idle time detection<\/a> in preferences, Timing will ask you what you\u2019ve been doing while you\u2019ve been away from your laptop. You could use this to monitor which types of breaks you use most often, and which are the most beneficial. For example, are you especially productive after you do some breathing exercises? Or do you do focused work best after having a power nap?<\/p>\n You can also use the calendar function<\/a> in Timing to set specific time aside for your breaks. First, schedule time for your breaks in your Mac calendar app. Timing will then integrate these breaks into your timeline, and will indicate whether you\u2019ve adhered to them. If you\u2019ve stayed away from your computer to work on a painting for 20 minutes, it will show no computer activity. It\u2019s a useful way to stay accountable to yourself.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t just deserve a break \u2014 you need it. You\u2019ve got to let your brain regenerate its mental reserves.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no reason to feel guilty for taking breaks. Work breaks are an important strategy for helping you to work better and more productively, without compromising your health. When you schedule breaks strategically, you\u2019ll produce better work more efficiently, and you\u2019ll be healthier in the process.\u00a0<\/p>\n To ensure that you\u2019re taking breaks wisely, use Timing to see how your time usage is affected by a couple of 10 to 15 minute daily breaks. You may even see that you\u2019re able to produce better work by giving yourself a few minutes of freedom. Find out more by downloading Timing\u2019s free 30-day trial<\/a> today.<\/p>\n While it might be counterintuitive, scheduling breaks at work can help you stay focused, improve your productivity, boost your creativity, and improve your mental health<\/a> and sense of well-being.<\/p>\n Most people can only concentrate for between 10 and 50 minutes at a time. After that, you should stand up and step away from your desk, even if only for 5 to 10 minutes. Try and take a dedicated lunch break if you can. If you need to be reminded to get up, you might find the Pomodoro Technique<\/a> useful.<\/p>\nTable of Contents<\/h2>\n
Why Work Breaks are Important<\/h2>\n
It helps you process and retain information<\/h3>\n
It helps you make better decisions<\/h3>\n
It generates more \u201caha\u201d moments<\/h3>\n
It improves your focus<\/h3>\n
It helps you be more creative<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\n10 Types of Work Breaks<\/h2>\n
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\nIf you\u2019re feeling tired, listen to your body and rest. There\u2019s been substantial research on the importance of napping<\/a>. A nap shorter than 30 minutes can help you feel more awake, see the bigger picture, and improve your productivity for the rest of the day.\u00a0<\/li>\n
\nYou\u2019ve probably heard this one before, but its benefits are enormous. A walk outside reduces stress levels, boosts your alertness, and the fresh air and vitamin D can help to improve your sleep, too. Keep your sneakers next to your desk to remind you to get out of the house every day.<\/li>\n
\nIt\u2019s amazing how easy it is to forget even the most critical things when we\u2019re busy. If you find you\u2019re hungry when you take a break, have some brain food<\/a> on standby. Think nuts, blueberries, avocado, even dark chocolate. And keep those glasses of water coming \u2014\u00a0aim for eight a day.<\/li>\n
\nJust 10 minutes of mindfulness a day<\/a> can help you regulate your emotions, improve your mental flexibility, and help you to be less impulsive. It\u2019s also been linked to better leadership capabilities.<\/li>\n
\nYou could also simply step away from your desk and be conscious of your breath. Try the 4-7-8 technique. Breathe in through your nostrils for 4 seconds, hold it for 7 seconds, and release for a full 8 seconds through your mouth. A few rounds of this can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, and re-center you mentally.<\/li>\n
\nTake a break from your sedentary position at your desk (which can wreak havoc on your back and neck), and do some light stretching. Try doing lunges, stretching your hamstrings, and rolling your neck gently from side to side.<\/li>\n
\nMany of us stare at screens all day. The 20-20-20 rule suggests that we take a 20-second break every 20 minutes by staring at something 20 feet away.<\/li>\n
\nThis one isn\u2019t as easy as it sounds. But simply sitting and letting your mind wander<\/a> can help your brain\u2019s default mode network take over. This gives your overworked prefrontal cortex a break, allowing you to return to your work feeling refreshed.\u00a0<\/li>\n
\nEngaging with other people releases a lot of great hormones. Serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins are all there. If you work asynchronously<\/a>, reach out to someone on the phone. If you\u2019re in an office, invite a colleague to have a quick cup of coffee.<\/li>\n
\nDon\u2019t laugh \u2014 we\u2019re serious! Studies suggest that taking on a new identity (for a moment or two) can help you solve creative problems. Walk around your room, talk to yourself from a different perspective, and see what comes out. Pretending to be an eccentric poet<\/a>, educational psychologists Denis Dumas and Kevin Dunbar found, gave people new ideas they might not have had otherwise.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timingapp.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/work_breaks_meditation.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWork Breaks Prevent Burnout<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nHow to Schedule Work Breaks Wisely<\/h2>\n
Use Timing to schedule breaks<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nMonitor the breaks that work best \u2014 and stay accountable<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nA Final Word on Work Breaks and Time Management<\/h2>\n
Work Breaks: Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
What are the benefits of taking regular work breaks?<\/h3>\n
How many work breaks should I take during the day?<\/h3>\n
How can I make the most of my work breaks?<\/h3>\n