Ever-evolving tech has allowed us to supercharge our workflow, but having to be constantly ‘on’ and alerted by Teams, Zoom, Slack, etc. have magnified stress and led to burnout. It may seem counterintuitive to take purposeful pauses in what you’re working, but we need regular, short breaks to move around, interact, and make something to be able to better focus on our tasks. These quick brain breaks peppered throughout the day aren’t just a time for you to mess around on your phone; these minutes are critical to your self-regulation and offer opportunities to engage your creativity and social skills.
Here are 11 ways to take movement and brain breaks in between meetings and tasks!
- Get Outside
- Doodle
- Laugh
- Drink Water
- Meditate
- Reorganize or Decorate Your Work Space
- Share a Break With a Coworker
- Hit the Gym
- Work Standing Up
- Stretch
- Play With Fidget Sensory Tools
Bonus Break Idea: Did you know taking time out for a snack counts as a brain break? Fuel up with some protein and carbs to get back into gear for heavier projects.
Depending on your personal preferences and style, you may need differing types, frequency, duration and intensity of ‘brain breaks’ to help you regulate. With trial and error and a little creativity, 11 minutes can turn a regular break into an impactful shift in your presence at work and beyond.
