Self-care

Work breaks and breaks from work

Another foreign word besides self-care is the word break. No, I am nor referring to having accidentally broken something. I am referring to work breaks.

So what on earth is a work break? It is an ‘approved time, during work hours, when we are ‘allowed’ to have some time for ourselves, i.e. ‘downtime’. Breaks usually include a brief mid morning and mid afternoon period – as well as a time for lunch. Some companies include ‘smoke breaks’! I am reluctant to include the latter – but that is my issue re smoking.

Work breaks are essential!! Whether you are in a workplace or working from home breaks are restorative.; they allow you time to replenish your energy.

Breaks are essential for health

A number of my clients have reported feeling exhausted much of the time, and sometimes feeling unwell. Covid is not entirely to blame! We also become depleted by ignoring breaks and soldiering on, believing that breaks are unnecessary or that by working through breaks you can leave work earlier.

Having been told, by some, that they do indeed ensure they have breaks – upon enquiring for specifics it appears that they rush to the ‘kitchen’, make a beverage and then return to their desk to continue working while drinking their cuppa. This is not a break!! Sometimes lunch too is consumed while continuing to work. – definitely a NO NO!!

Studies vary as to how long we can sustain attention without needing a break. While some suggest between 50-90 minutes, others believe 2 hours is manageable. Regardless of the exact period the studies agree that a 15-20 minute break, after 2 hours is necessary. Yes there are individual differences in attention span but we all need breaks.

Noise, hunger, feeling unwell, fatigue as well as stress can impact on your ability to attend. Working in ‘blocks’ of time with rest periods interspersed is most beneficial

Work-life balance is central to health. Canadian company Hootsuite, which is a social media management platform, offers its employees a nap room as well as a yoga studio. Chesapeake Energy, a gas producer, boasts an enormous fitness centre which includes an Olympic-seized swimming pool, walking track and rock climbing wall.

Have holiday breaks

Holiday breaks are also essential….even spasmodic long weekends can assist considerably with recharging the batteries. Saving your leave indefinitely, until you collapse from exhaustion, is unhealthy – both mentally and physically. There are no winners!!!

I believe that a holiday of 3 – 4 weeks is the most beneficial. During this time it is important to stop checking work emails or disturb your ‘down’ time focusing on work related issues. – these defeat the purpose of a holiday.

Why 3-4 weeks holiday?

• Week 1 – slowly start unwinding. You might find that you continue to wake early for a while and continue to focus on work tasks and issues for a period.
• Week 2/3 – rest, relax spend time chilling. This does not mean a regimented routine in which specific things are done each hour. Relaxation means doing what you enjoy when you choose to do it.
• Week 3/4 – slowly prepare to return to work….if possible towards the end of the week.

Learn to enjoy free time. Pace yourself and have FUN.

Take care, stay safe, remember that smiling and laughter are good for all of us.