Many professionals who have the independence to determine when and how long their breaks will be, find themselves forgetting, or even worse, deciding not to take their breaks.
Marianne Legato, cardiologist, Health Advisory Board member, and author of Why Men Never Remember and Women Never Forget, says, "If you never have any time except reactive time--things you must do for others--you don't have a sense of control. You are interrupted all the time. Your brain has trouble resting even during sleep."
Pacing work productively includes pacing breaks productively. Work without breaks will suffer. One cannot go too long with out needing some form of refreshment away from their activity. Is your break scheduled soon enough, or do you need to take one sooner? Take the w2wlink Take a Break Self-Quiz and find out.
Taking the occasional break is actually good for the mind and body, as one’s ability to work productively is enhanced. A break allows for a person’s energy to be recharged. It also allows them to re-approach what they were doing with a fresh outlook.
Here are some quotes from professionals from various different fields on the topic of taking a break. Their responses to the question: “How does taking a break affect you and your work?” are below:
“I always feel a renewed sense of creativity.” Susan, Graphics Artist, TX.
“After a break, I am able to concentrate much better.” Laura, CPA, CO.
“I find that I feel more pleasant toward my students.” Lorraine, Teacher, CA.
Whether the work is primarily physical or mental, regular breaks are needed to prevent exhaustion that leads to lower quality and lower productivity.
What kind of things do you do to give yourself a break?
“I look out my window at the view and forget about the inside where I am sitting. I watch people, cars, tree leaves and the sky.” Susan, Graphics Artist, TX
“I go and get a coffee and spend time in the break room fixing it and greet people there,” Laura, CO, TX
“I take a short walk, make a phone call to my husband or read a quick article,” Lorraine, Teacher, CA.
It is widely accepted that a few 15 minute breaks along with a lunch will usually be adequate. Momentary look-away breaks from the computer are also recommended for the eyes. along with frequent blinking, according to Eyestrain and your computer screen: Tips for getting relief, by the stafff at MayoClinc.com.
Laughter releases endorphins that reduce stress and help the body and mind to relax, according to Dr. Lee Berk and Dr. Stanley Tan of Loma Linda University in California. Exercise achieves the same kind of result. Music has also been found to have those effects.
Not taking breaks could lead to boredom, distraction and lack of precision. If you want to do your best, allow yourself the opportunity to replenish.
See the Take a Break Self-Quiz link at the bottom to test yourself and see if you are maximizing your abilities by taking timely breaks with the w2wlink Take a Break Self-Quiz.
Click on the w2wlink Take a Break Self-Quiz link below to take the quiz.
Discussion and thought provoking questions: 1. Do you usually eat at your desk? 2. Do you allow yourself breaks? 3. Why is it important to take breaks?
Jean Lewis,
has edited and written for consumer Web sites and publications reaching nearly 50 million people. Her credits include writing and editing online and print articles, sales and training materials, marketing collateral, and advertising and PR for conusmer companies including BeautiControl, a Tupperware subsidiary's publications to women ages 20s through 50s, the WHO Foundation, Women Helping Others, MCG Magazine, Los Angeles and Seasonal Living Guide for Sam’s Club, a retailing subsidiary of Wal-Mart. Her career also includes working and living in Canada and Japan. Jean is well regarded for her market-research based approach to managing story development enabling consistently original, relevant and timely content.
