Have a tight deadline to meet? Need to be as productive as possible? You may be tempted to push through the urge to take a break. However, research shows that this might be causing you to lose focus, become even more exhausted and burn out faster. Let us show you a bit about why breaks are important.
So, what do studies show about why you should take breaks at work? It turns out, breaks are important for productivity and focus.
Here’s a look at the 3 (research-backed) benefits of incorporating breaks into your busy day.
1) Reduced Physical Strain
Working long hours without taking a break can be damaging for your body. Sitting in the same position for an extended period may cause strain and may lead to severe chronic pain. Research suggests it’s best to stand up and stretch every 30 minutes. If you find yourself sitting at a prolonged rate, try setting a timer every 30 minutes to grab a glass of water or go for a walk to make sure you are moving around as much as possible.
2) Reduced Eye Strain
Your vision is important to maintaining a high productivity rate, which is why reducing your screen time slightly may minimize your eye strain. Like reducing strain on your body, you should aim to look away from your screen every 20 minutes while you take breaks at work. Research suggests that it’s best to follow a 20-20-20 rule when looking at a screen. This means that for every 20 minutes you look at your screen, you should then look away at something for 20 seconds, 20 feet away. While looking away from your screen, use that opportunity to get up and stretch, or possibly walk away for a few minutes to reduce the strain occurring on your body. Physical breaks are important to helping you to feel good.
3) Higher Job Satisfaction
Lastly, studies suggest if you take a full lunch break during the day, you are more likely to score higher on engagement metrics, leading to higher job satisfaction. Our research found that taking a lunch break allows 81% of employees to feel a stronger sense of belonging in the company and more willing to be an active member of the organization.
Incorporating breaks into your day can be challenging. Here are a few things we do here at EVS that makes taking breaks during the day a little more enjoyable:
- Take a quick walk around the block
- Enjoy lunch with a colleague
- Make a coffee or tea or grab a glass of water!
Finding areas and opportunities for your employees to enjoy and benefit from breaks in your office space is key. A great opportunity is in your break space. If you’re looking to elevate your break space through a premium coffee and tea program within your business, reach out to us and we’ll be happy to show you what a break with a delicious cup of tea can do for your team!
P.S – hydration is also key to optimal productivity. Read more about the benefits of behind hydrated here.
This article also has some great insights to the benefits.