Taking Breaks From Work

Breaks increase both productivity and creativity while relieving stress.

Working for long stretches without breaks leads to stress and ultimately exhaustion. Taking breaks refreshes the mind—it replenishes your mental resources. But not all breaks are created equal. And if you're not taking any during your remote workday, you’re most likely holding on to unnecessary stress to some degree.

We all know that work can be challenging and that you have to avoid a lot of distractions to get your to-do list done in one sitting. When you don't take breaks at work, you can start to lose focus and concentration.

The mind can only take so much before it becomes overloaded. When you try to take on too much data or engage in excessive activity without a break, that can lead to confusion and stress. If you are regularly skipping a lunch break, stress and fatigue will sneak up on you, resulting in a sudden loss of zeal in your job duties. 

If an employee is stressing about an issue at work, they may start displaying negative behavior, such as irritability and hopelessness. As stress begins to build, the employee should take a quick break and revisit the issue when their mental state is back at ease. 

3 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Breaks

1. Understand that breaks can have positive outcomes.

Most leaders understand that breaks can be beneficial if well managed. Just a stroll away from a workspace can help ease an overloaded mind. 

2.    Recommend time for breaks.

Employees are less likely to take breaks if they’re overworked, or believe they’ll be reprimanded for taking a break. Recommend they walk away from their desk and enjoy a healthy snack.

Encourage your teams to take time for themselves. Employees who believe their employers care for them, usually perform better. 

In order to give your mind time to refresh, it’s best to leave the phone at your desk during your breaks. Staring at a computer screen for hours at a time has an impact on vision, and can cause headaches. Periodic breaks allow workers to stretch and relax, which could help avoid injuries.  

A physical refresh equals a mental refresh.       

The Best and Most Convenient Snacks to Boost Brain Function.

• Blueberries.  It's common knowledge that blueberries are a superfood. 

• Avocados are rich in vitamin E, vitamin K, and potassium. 

• Eggs are another powerful brain food, thanks to the yolk, which is packed with choline. 

• Pumpkin seeds.  Zinc is vital for enhancing mental agility and memory. Just a handful of pumpkin seeds daily is all you need to get your recommended allotment of this super vitamin.

• Carrots.  Not only are they good for your eyes, but they’re a great way to fuel your brain. They contain high levels of luteolin, a compound that reduces age-related memory deficits and inflammation in the brain.

• Walnuts are a brain-power food loaded with vitamins B12 and B6, shown to prevent memory decline by eliminating homocysteine in the blood. They are also loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to improve memory function as you age.

As you take breaks, be mindful of the results as they will vary by person.  What kind of breaks seem to help you become more creative and productive? 

Take notice of what works and what doesn’t.  Remember, only you can decide what particular strategies work best for you.