Remote and Hybrid work has become a regular part of our lives. But they tend to have a slightly negative impact on our movement.
Taking regular breaks while working is important – this has been established countless times.
They renew your motivation, help you destress, and improve your productivity levels.
But remote and hybrid work and the change in surroundings that come with it may make these breaks a bit tricky. You cannot overwork and invite burnout. Nor can you strain your body sitting continually (yes that’s a thing).
But you can’t risk taking a break that makes it difficult for you to return to work.
A way out of this fix is to distinguish between breaks that are distracting and those that are refreshing.
For instance, ten minutes of using social media have the potential to turn into an hour of mindless scrolling quickly. On the other hand, eating an apple is both quick and healthy and is extra enjoyable, especially as a break.
Other 10-minute break activities that are effective in helping you relax AND resume work quickly:
- Take a quick walk around the house.
- Meditate or do breathing exercises to ground yourself.
- Simply stretch.
- Play with a pet (but remember that the more you play the greater the expectation of your pet to play with you repeatedly).
- Have a quick chat with a family member.
- Eat a small snack. (Plan it ahead of your day so that you don’t find yourself indulging in unhealthy snacking).
- Don’t smoke, but if you do, go out and have a smoke.
- Organize a drawer if that’s your thing.
- Listen to one song (make a separate playlist containing one favourite song so you don’t get lost down a long playlist that keeps auto-playing).
- Organize your sock drawer or stationary.
- Plug-in everything that needs charging.
- Neck or back exercises.
Author(s)– Human Resources Department – Jackstien Practices
