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How many times have you skipped your lunch break because you had too much work to do? Lots of us do it all the time because we think we’ll get more accomplished by skipping breaks and working through lunch, but that actually makes us less productive, decreases motivation and can lead to burnout.
And it turns out, taking a well-deserved break can help reduce anxiety and stress, as well as improve work performance. According to Ros Jones, a “business wellbeing guide and trainer,” we need to take breaks to take care of our wellbeing so things at work will continue to run as they should. When we are not functioning at an optimum level, then neither will the business,” she explains.
Wellness expert Aysha Bell points out that short, regular breaks from work are essential to give the part of our brain that’s working “a chance to restart and reset.” So how do we switch off in the middle of the day when we’re overloaded with work and it seems like stopping is the last thing we should do?
- Set an alarm to remind you to stop working and get out of your workspace so you’re not tempted to keep working.
- Step out of the office and get into nature, if possible. These experts say that’s a good way to ground yourself in the middle of the day.
- Get moving if you’re usually sitting most of the day.
- If you can’t get outside, Ros recommends doing something creative to recharge, like listening to music or reading a book.
- Some people also swear by a 20-minute power nap to help them feel refreshed and focused.
- Try to let go of the guilt you feel from taking an hour away from work and acknowledge that your break is a crucial part of being responsible for your wellbeing.
Read the full article for yourself at Metro