5 Ways to Maximise Short Breaks

In a day and age where productivity rules all and a packed schedule often signifies success, it’s important to step away from everything to reset focus.  And it’s important to do this frequently! Contrary to popular belief, taking short breaks from working does not suggest laziness, it actually shows commitment to better and higher quality work.  Burning yourself out by staring at your computer screen continuously does more harm than good, and giving your brain time away from work will actually improve your creative process and connection-building skills.  You should make sure you’re taking a short break every 60-90 minutes, and instead of scrolling through Instagram the whole time, here are five things you can do instead that will alleviate brain stress and improve your productivity: 

Meditation: Every afternoon at 3:30, interested members of our team head to a secluded meeting room to meditate collectively for ten minutes.  Sometimes someone will offer a guided meditation to help those who are more inexperienced, and other times we just concentrate on our breathing, attempting to clear the thought cobwebs.  Whether or not you’ve ever meditated successfully, just starting by closing your eyes and taking deep breaths is a great way to relax, and you’ll go back to your desk feeling refreshed.

Puzzling: There’s nothing more satisfying than completing a huge jigsaw puzzle, but it’s a long road when you’re walking it alone.  Try setting up a small card table in your office with a 1000 piece puzzle that everyone can chip away at when they’re taking short breaks away from their desks.  Puzzles are proven to help with problem solving skills, and doing something tactile is great for alleviating stress.  

Walking: It’s no secret that sitting all day can be harmful to your health, and walking is a great way to start counteracting some of that seated time.  Going for a five minute walk around the building or outside around the block will help your creative process, and it will also stretch out your joints and limbs which can get cramped up when you’re seated at a desk all day. 

Exercise: Walking is a great way to get your body moving, but for those who are extra motivated, try busting out a few push-ups or jumping jacks to get your blood pumping and your endorphins flowing.  This can have improved effects on your mood and mental health, and you’ll get back to your desk with a renewed sense of enthusiasm. Make yourself a fun, short playlist of songs that you find extra indulgent so you have something to look forward to!

Colouring: Colouring books are no longer just for children!  Colouring has been found to be highly meditative and relieve stress in adults, and spending ten minutes with a colouring page is the perfect way to focus on something other than work and still feel productive.  It gets you away from your computer screen and it makes you feel like a kid again.

Here are some of our favourite spaces with breakout options: