Five Tips for Making the Most of Work Breaks
There is only so much time available during the work day to take a break. Whether a person is doing physical labor or working at a desk, everyone needs a break to refresh and take their minds off the job for a few minutes before getting back to it.
Making the most of those work breaks can be difficult, though. It’s hard to switch from “work mode” to “break mode,” especially if there isn’t a plan in place for how that switch is going to happen. Truth is, those who know in advance how they are going to spend their break time tend to get more out of it than those who don’t.
If you have employees and want to make sure they are able to get the most out of their break time, consider working with InReach to add features like a micro market, vending machines, and other food and drink services to your building. Here are some tips to help employees get the most out of their breaks in your office.
Five Tips to Help Employees Make the Most of Their Work Breaks
#1. Be Physically Active
This is an easy choice among the many break ideas for work. For office workers who spend most of the day sitting in a chair in front of a computer, moving as much as possible during breaks makes a lot of sense. It feels good to get the body moving after a long period of sitting, and it’s a great way to rejuvenate the mind and improve focus for the rest of the workday.
Fortunately, this physical activity doesn’t have to be anything extreme to get the job done. For most people, a brisk walk—outside, if possible—works wonders.
#2. Stay Hydrated
The importance of hydration is easy to overlook when working in an office. After all, you probably aren’t sweating while sitting at a desk, and you certainly aren’t out of breath. With that said, it’s still quite important to hydrate regularly, as staying hydrated improves focus and brain function. It will also allow you to work more effectively long into the afternoon when your performance might have otherwise started to fade. Opting for delightful drinks like sparkling water makes staying hydrated fun!
#3. Fuel Up
Just as it’s important to drink water or other fluids on a work break, it’s also important to have a snack or a small meal. Taking in calories—and the right kinds of calories, ideally—will provide lasting energy for whatever remains of the workday. Options that are high in protein tend to be quite effective for a break-time snack, including classic choices such as nuts or yogurt.
#4. Take a Screen Break
The reality of modern office work means most people spend many hours per day staring at screens. All of that screen time can take a toll on your eyes and can cause headaches in some people. So, the natural choice during a break from work is to get away from screens and let your eyes take a break. It might be tempting to pull out your phone during a break, but resisting that activity in favor of something more natural will do wonders for how your eyes (and mind!) feel when getting back to work. Try listening to something (music, audiobooks, or podcasts), meditating, or giving your eyes some physical material to pore over, like a book, magazine, or crossword puzzle.
#5. Socialize
Even in an office with hundreds or thousands of other workers, it is easy to feel rather isolated. Many jobs require that workers stay focused on the task at hand, perhaps interacting with only a few other people throughout the day. Work breaks should be seen as a time to branch out, connect with others in the office break room, and chat about anything but work. This is made easier in an office with a micro market or office pantry that can serve as a natural gathering point during break time.
Putting Better Breaks InReach
Your employees will love how much the convenient services from InReach are able to upgrade their day-to-day experience on the job. Whether it’s grabbing a quick drink between meetings or finding a complete ready-to-eat meal in a micro market on their lunch break, these features are a wonderful boost. Take a moment today to get in touch with the InReach team and discuss office break room ideas that can upgrade the daily experience of your people.