"Taking a Break" MATTERS when Remote Working too!

How easy is it to convince yourself that you do not have the time to take a break? How many times have you denied yourself a five minute break because you just have way too much to do!? Being too busy to take a break is a sure-fire sign that you need to slow down and press pause.

Read on for some compelling benefits of adding regular breaks into your working day...

When you’re striving to hit a deadline, or a tough challenge has got you feeling the pressure, it can be tempting to force yourself to focus well past the point of fatigue.

Well I am here to say to you (and to myself) that…

• We’re not lazy if we take a break.
• We’re not giving up if we rest.
• We’re not wasting time if we take a break.

Au-contraire, instead we are honouring the fact that we are human and not a machine. This is not soft and fluffy wellbeing, this is scientific, evidence based wellbeing!

I’m writing these words to myself as much as to you, and every one of our corporate clients, especially now as we enter the dawn a new era of remote working norms!

You don't have to simply listen to me, there are dozens of studies detailing the importance of rest and recovery - yet many of us struggle with feelings of guilt when taking a break.

Do You Have Remote Working Guilt?

Taking a few minutes – away from your desk, a short walk, a stretch or just a change of scenery – all help us to be more productive, resilient, motivated and creative - among many other benefits.

I will say those words again #resilient #motivated #creative #productive ... who doesn't want to feel these? I know I do! Add to this list enhanced flexibility, better posture; better fitness and even concentration!

Plus there's more emotional benefits too - that link to our mental health - taking time away from your work space to talk to others can increase your sense of connectedness, help you maintain perspective and boost your mood too. Surely it should be a no brainer? So why is it… a large proportion of us often don’t take enough breaks during our working day, and many even work through lunch?

A final nail in the coffin or put in a more positive way - a motivation to move more or take a break is .... we know that sitting for lengthy, uninterrupted periods of time is associated with poor health and chronic disease! Some experts even say; sitting is the new cancer or the new smoking of our time! This is hugely compelling for me a Trainer.

Taking breaks has been shown to be important in recovering from stress, which can in turn, improve our performance.

It can restore energy and mental resources and decrease the development of fatigue, sleep disorders and even cardiovascular disease.

So, for me, taking a break helps me to cultivate healthier habits...

When you’re busy and stressed, healthy habits – such as eating nutritious meals, exercising, and getting plenty of sleep – can easily fall by the wayside. Taking a proper lunch break gives you time to incorporate these healthy habits into your normal working day, whether that’s making time to prepare and eat a meal that’s packed with fruit and vegetables (rather than grabbing a store-bought sandwich or ready meal), or running or walking outside. 

Taking regular breaks away from your computer or smartphone screen(s) can also help to prevent computer vision syndrome, which commonly manifests as eye strain and headaches. Medical professionals recommend looking away from your screen every 20 minutes and looking at something around 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

So, let’s remind each other (without any guilt whatsoever) we are not machines! Try for yourself today - programme in a series of micro breaks, just 5 minutes ideally every hour! And see what a positive impact it has?! Labell it if you need to - whatever works #self-care #wellbeingtime # metime #motivationtime #mentalbreaktime

This leads me to a very controversial point.... Should well-timed breaks at work be enforced? That's for another article?!!

In short, for today we say if you’d like to boost productivity, performance and ultimately your wellbeing - mentally and physcially, then ensure you (and your staff, your team members, your colleagues) are all regularly taking breaks at work. It is essential for staying focused, healthy, happy and creative.

Tonic and Me

If you feel you want to prioritise wellbeing in your workplace then our app is a great way to help support, motivate and inspire your people to take positive steps to a healthier lifestyle!

Throughout June, the topic in our wellbeing hub has been 'Self-Care.' Just like all of our other topics, self-care is one that we are extremely passionate about. Good self-care is key to an enhanced sense of wellbeing; just like "good health is good business" To find out more download our app today, CLICK HERE. or email us for a demo!

I hope you have enjoyed this article and like me, feel there is some compelling content enough to 100% program some breaks in to your every day!

Until the next time folks, always remember...