Taking Breaks: 6 Quick Tips to Make the Most of them

Breaks are extremely important in order to have a successful workday. They keep our brains sharp and our mental health in check. However, most people’s breaks involve checking their phones, venting to a friend or having a cup of coffee. According to Psychology Today, these breaks actually fatigue us even more. Which begs the question, how should you be spending your break time?

Before you decide how to spend your break, the first thing to figure out is how often to schedule them. The first option is a 15-minute break after every 75 to 90 minutes. The second is a 17-minute break after 52 minutes, and the last is a five-minute break after every 25 minutes. The best way to figure out what works best for you is through trial and error. You may also find that you need fewer breaks in the morning than you do in the afternoon, depending on how fatigued you get throughout the day.

The next step is figuring out how to best use that time. Below are some creative ways you can make the most of your time in any office situation.

• Chat with a coworker. Especially if you are starting a new job, it may be nice to introduce yourself to the people you work with and learn about them.
• Stretch at your desk. There are tons of stretches you can do right in your office that can help reduce those aches and pains. Check out some tips here.
• Learn something new. From an inspirational video such as a TED talk or an overview of the news from The Skimm, these are great ways to give your brain a break from your task at hand.
• Give your eyes a break. Read an article from your favorite magazine, listen to a podcast, or jam out to your favorite song.
• Get your meditation on. A five to ten-minute mindfulness meditation may be all you need if you need to regroup.  Here is a bit more information about mindfulness meditation.
• Make a list… and check it twice. If you’re not sure what to accomplish next during your workday or if you have things to do after hours, make a list of big and small tasks. It will clear your mind and you’ll get an endorphin boost every time you cross one off!

As you can tell, breaks don’t have to be boring and they shouldn’t be! All of these options are fun, energy inducing activities that will help you feel even more accomplished by the end of the day. And these are just the tip of the iceberg. Let us know how you like to spend your breaks by commenting below!