The average employee will spend approximately 8 hours per day at work in the U.S and U.K. During these hours, they’ll probably take a number of productive and unproductive breaks to chat with coworkers or surf the Web.
According to a study, 80% of employees waste about 2 hours every day at work on unrelated issues. These employees take breaks to:
• Visit the break room
• Go to the restroom
• Go to water cooler
• Gossip or small talk with coworkers
• Talk to family members
• Do online personal errands
• Watching television
• On social media
Instead of spending your time to gossip with coworkers or on social media, what if you could re-energize and improve your mood by taking better breaks? Here are eight ways to get more from breaks at work.
Read
The best way to run away from your own life can be by diving into someone else’s, and reading offers a great way to do so. Therefore, carry a novel, magazine or even a review to read during breaks. It can help distract your mind from mundane assignments, boost your confidence, and spark creativity.
Examine Your Priorities
Adults can handle so much responsibility that they forget to prioritize meaningful things. Therefore, use breaks at work to reevaluate your priorities. Take a piece of paper and list things that give you purpose. Identify areas you have neglected and start integrating them in your schedule.
Discover Your Reenergizers
After reviewing your priorities, note down anything that reinvigorates you. Several studies have shown that people tend to engage in activities they prefer during breaks. Perhaps taking a walk outside or calling your family helps you recharge.
Find creative ways to fit those reenergizes into your daily schedule. However, if something meaningful drains you, like talking to your parents, save it until after work. Take tie to clear a few tasks that revitalize you.
Plan For Your ‘You’ Moments
Most employees get an idea of how their schedules look like after working with a company for a while. Therefore, plan your breaks according to your daily activities. You don’t want to take breaks during busy hours.
According to a study by Baylor University, breaks taken in the mid-morning are usually the best because they enhance creativity, concentration, and energy as compared to breaks taken in the mid-afternoon.
Find Better Ways To Use Small Breaks
If you monitor your schedule every day, marking down everything you do, you will be stunned at how much time you waste. So next time you have a short break, spare a few minutes to review your list of priorities and pick an activity that supports what is meaningful.
Most successful people incorporate a mindfulness break into their schedules, particularly when feeling overwhelmed or stressed. By pausing and focusing on the present, they can create a space for stress to move through them and keep them concentrated on the present tasks.
So next time you have a break, just let your mind wander instead of reaching for your tablet or computer. Taking intentional breaks to rejuvenate is vital to keep productivity and creativity flowing.
Exit The Office
Remaining in one place for long hours jeopardizes your creativity and productivity. People who don’t change sceneries tend to redo the same habits. So to manage burnout, it’s advisable to move away from your desk during breaks.
Move out of the office to stretch your body and clear your mind. Exercise or take a walk, and you will come back rejuvenated. Most researchers agree that staying in a natural setting gives you mind a chance to roam and make perceptive connections in your subconscious mind.
So if you have small tasks like shopping for groceries, use your lunch break to do so rather than waiting until after work. That way, you end up with one less assignment to do after work.
Take A Nap
Too much work can be draining, particularly if you’re commuting for long hours. Most employees know that by noon, they feel like they’ll not survive the day without shutting their eyes. Lunch breaks can be the perfect time to refresh, and taking a nap can be all you need. In fact, taking a nap for just 20 minutes can make a huge difference in your productivity.
Enroll In A Course
Your job should not deter you from personal development. In fact, improving your knowledge can be the motivation you need to work on your passion and keeping busy at work. Therefore, consider taking courses online or nearby to help you improve your skills during lunch breaks.
Your breaks at work aren’t an opportunity to eat and gossip. Having time away from work can be a great chance to recharge and come back rejuvenated. With these tips, you can enhance your creativity and productivity.
