Before you begin reading, take a moment and look around to see how busy our lives have become. From the moment we wake up to the time we lay in bed at night, there is usually something or the other going on. This is due to a combination of needing to get work done, a fear of not doing enough, and a general rise in the number of tasks due. We rarely take breaks and even if we do, we often feel bad for doing so. This article will shed light on the importance of taking a break and the science behind it.
The Science Behind Taking Breaks
To ensure that we remain productive for longer periods, it is important to treat ourselves as humans and not machines. In the workplace, taking a break translates into better concentration, reduced chances of burnout, an improvement in creativity, and a gradual increase in physical health. There is no denying that if we continue working for long hours without respite, our productivity will plummet – preventing us from getting anything done.
Types of Breaks
Breaks can be broken down into two categories – short and long. A short break is less than 15 minutes while a long break is over 30 minutes. Furthermore, a break may be active or passive. This way, you have short active breaks (walking or stretching), long active breaks (a nap or listening to music), short passive breaks (deep breaths or some shut-eye), and long passive breaks (hitting the gym or going for a hike).
If you want to make the most of your breaks, plan them ahead of time and slot them into your day. Find different ways to mix up your breaks to avoid becoming monotonous. A good way to do this is by listening to your body and seeing what it needs. Oftentimes, it just needs to disconnect or dissociate to get back to an ideal state.
How to Take a Break Effectively
The point of taking a break is to relax and unwind. You don’t want to take a break and not relax your mind and body. One of the most important ways to do this is by setting a boundary for yourself and not letting anything come in the way. For example, you may choose to put your phone on do-not-disturb to avoid getting any calls, messages, or emails. The constant pinging of notifications can induce anxiety on their own.
Furthermore, to increase the effectiveness of your break, it is important to create an environment that is conducive to relaxation. Remove anything that might irritate, distract, or hamper your Zen state of mind. For some people, this could be sleeping or cooking while for others it could be kicking back in front of the TV and watching their favorite content. To make it better for you, Optimum TV has one of the finest offerings available for you. They have a wide array of content for a very competitive price making them worth considering. Get in touch with their customer service to learn more and for a Spanish-speaking audience, you can get in touch with Optimum Spanish customer service.
The Benefits of Taking a Break
Finally, it is important to speak on the benefits associated with taking breaks. While there are many to pick from, these are the best of the bunch:
- Overall increase in productivity
- Improved mental and physical health
- Boosted creativity thanks to a fresh mind
- Enhanced focus and concentration
Whether it is your personal or professional life, these benefits will go a long way. They apply across the board in all areas of your life.
Conclusion
Some people may never think twice about taking a break when they want to but others might not know that they need to take it, to begin with. As human beings, we can only work and remain productive for so long before our minds and body begin to get tired. It is important to rest and relax to recharge and generally stay healthy. There are different types of breaks that we take depending on the time, place, and level of fatigue we got through. It is important to listen to your body when it tries to tell you that it needs some time off. If you continue to work on it, eventually something will give in and you will need to reset it anyways. It is always better to be proactive rather than reactive.
