Give Me A Break!
As entrepreneurs we all understand time is money. The more we work, the more money we generate, the more we can influence others, and live the life we want. All too often we can become caught up in work and forget a key tenant of success… A work break!
Your Daily Work Break
Taking a work break can mean different things to different people; a quick break, a day off, a week or more away from the office. Today we are specifically focusing on taking breaks throughout your work day. Research has shown we only have a limited attention span and our productivity can suffer over a longer period of work. According to the article linked, on average, a person is only productive for around three hours a day. So how do we fill the rest of our time and allow ourselves to be more productive throughout the day, all while not feeling like we’re losing the time we take?
Today’s blog is a collaboration between Colleen and Peter, each giving their top break idea and one joint idea.
Three Short Work Break Ideas
So taking a work break throughout the day is important but what should your work break include? Each hour we should take five minutes away from our projects and our client work to refresh and renew our focus and energy. We have three ways you can take a break from work and not feel guilty.
An Energy Break
Colleen: One of the best things we can do during a break is use our five-minute break to move our bodies. Go and take a quick walk up your street with your dog. Spend a minute or two jumping rope or doing some light body-weight exercises like wall sits or planks. You can even just stand up and walk to the kitchen and back to grab a fresh cup of coffee. A quick exercise break allows your eyes to refocus, you heart rate to increase a bit, and allows your mind to refresh, and exercise helps combat stress! You will feel much more relaxed and more productive when you return to your desk.
Time to Refuel
Peter: Another way to utilize your hourly break is by grabbing a quick and healthy snack. Through our day we use a lot of mental energy and we need to make sure we are replenishing our bodies to keep us focused and fresh. I know I tend to become a bit hangry midway through the morning so I make sure to grab a quick snack around 10:30 or so before lunch. You do want to watch what you eat or you may end up hurting your productivity in the long run. A big, heavy snack could make you tired or a sugary donut may give you a short burst of energy only leading towards a crash at some point. I suggest a little protein boost such as peanut butter or a handful of almonds or other nuts. Be smart and stay fueled!
Continue Learning
Colleen and Peter: We both want to remind you to stay educated and continue learning!
Colleen: I suggest finding a few articles on LinkedIn or Facebook or wherever your industry has the best information and read one article during your break. I suggest saving the articles to your favorites so you do not have to go onto a social media channel and risk being sucked in for how knows how long!
Peter: I know we’ve been talking about taking a quick five-minute work break, but there are times when I need a few more minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the work day. A couple times a week I will take 30 minutes outside (or in our sunroom if it’s raining) to read a book. Reading is a crucial part of becoming a better writer so I can have a little fun away from work and still be working on my craft. I also read non-fiction, business-related books which helps my writing skills, marketing skills, and other business skills. Learning can be a break from your everyday routine!
Your Work Break: Energize, Refuel, and Learn
As you can see there are a number of ways you can take a five-minute work break and still feel as if you are accomplishing something. The most important thing to remember is it’s important for you to take a break from your current work to give yourself a refreshed mind and refueled body to keep you as productive as possible during your work day. What is your favorite five-minute break?
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