Take a Break

We hear more and more people say that they work for 8 hours without taking break! Considering research shows us that people who work less hours actually live longer, it’s a rather big incentive don’t you think?

Whether you work in a busy office or spend most of your day working remotely from your kitchen, taking regular breaks is good for your physical and mental health, and will boost your productivity and reduce the risk of burnout or sickness.

When you are working hard, your brain has to resist distractions in order to focus on the task at hand. Your prefrontal cortex is mostly responsible for this kind of 'think-work' as it plays a major role in your ability to concentrate, think logically, and resist impulses. This level of focus gets more difficult by the minute as your brain burns energy! At some point, you will need to recharge in order to reenergise after working so hard.

The benefits of regular breaks

For this reason, while it may seem contradictory, taking regular breaks can actually help you be more productive than working without stopping. Effective breaks can help to reduce your stress levels so that you’re ready to re-focus when you return to your work. Taking breaks while can even improve your memory and recall!

If you find yourself growing increasingly frustrated or stalled on a certain task despite your efforts, this may be a sign that it’s time to rest your brain and take a break.

Tips for taking a break:

• Agree break times with your peers
• Make your break an 'appointment' 
• Help each other to stick to break
• Set an alarm on your phone
• Plan for 'fun' in your break e.g. move, get creative, socialise
• Pay attention to the benefits
• Use visual reminders
• Enjoy…
• Repeat!