Wellness Breaks at Work
How to Get the Most Out of Your Work Breaks
In order to break records, you’re definitely going to need to take breaks. Too often these days, there’s so much talk of ‘hustling’ and ‘grinding’ that it makes one believe that you constantly need to keep your nose to the grindstone to achieve success. Wellness breaks at work are crucial for maintaining the energy and focus required to perform at your best.
This is NOT true and is the surest way to a mental and emotional breakdown. It’s no secret that so many entrepreneurs and other high-performance individuals are usually extremely stressed out and are close to breaking point.
In order to achieve success, breaks are important… and we’re not talking about vacations. In this article, we’re talking about short intermittent breaks spaced out throughout your day and how you can get the best out of them.
When Are Your Break Times?
If you have a day job, your break times will be pre-determined by the company. If you’re your own boss, you get to decide for yourself. This is what you need to do.
Decide on your Break Times and Duration
Are you the type of person who needs multiple short break sessions?
Some people may choose to work for 2 hours followed by a 30-minute break. Others may work for 1 hour followed by a 15-minute break.
There are no rules set in stone here. You need to do what’s best for you.
People with stronger concentration may be able to go longer periods, while others may find that even 45 minutes of hard, focused work requires a 15-minute break.
So, take that break. Which brings us to the next question… What will you do during your break?
Get a Few Quick Chores Done
If you work from home, use a couple of your short breaks to do the dishes or fold the laundry or get one of your household chores done. At least by the time your work day is done, you’ll not have any chores left to do and you can relax and enjoy the rest of your day.
Take a Nap
If you’re tired in the middle of the day, go ahead and take a short 10-minute nap. Avoid anything longer or you’ll drift off into deep sleep and wake up exhausted.
Even if you’re at work, you can lean back on your chair for a short power nap during your lunch break. That said, it’s best to keep your lunch as light as possible. People usually have heavy lunches and feel sluggish because the digestive process uses up their energy.
Exercise
Exercise is a fantastic way to perk yourself up. It’s impossible to feel lethargic and sluggish after doing 2 minutes of burpees. Go ahead and give it a try and you’ll be amazed.
Even a set of push ups and crunches a couple of times a day during your breaks will help to strengthen your body.
Get Away from Your Desk
When taking a break from work, it’s imperative that you get away from your desk. Don’t just switch tabs and scroll through social media. You need a mental break away from the computer.
You could follow the tips above or go get a glass of water or do a 10-minute yoga stretching session. Whatever you do, get off the chair, stretch your legs and take a break from the computer during your break.
Move to a New Location
Sometimes, just moving to a new location can make you feel more energetic. If you’ve spent 4 hours in the morning writing content, you may be mentally drained. However, if you packed up your laptop and went to the beach or a nearby café, you’d suddenly discover that you could easily write for another 2 or 3 hours. This change of scenery gives your mind a mental break and rejuvenates it.
Maintain a Routine
The tips above are just the beginning. There are many other ways to make your breaks productive and energizing. Find out what works for you and remember to pepper your work day with enough time outs so that your mind remains fresh throughout the day.
