Taking regular breaks at work is needed to ensure that your brain can recharge. Aside from this, you need to give yourself time to breathe, especially when things at work get too stressful and complicated. Some people may not be fond of taking breaks because they believe that it will only disrupt their pace. They think that working straight hours will help them accomplish more things. Unfortunately, this is only a misconception about productivity. The truth is, you have to take breaks if you want to finish your tasks.
The Truth about Working too Hard
Working hard and dedicating most of your time at work can make you look like a responsible adult. It also gives you the illusion that you are accomplishing a lot of great things. Unfortunately, in reality, working too hard will only do more harm than good. Your physical and mental health will get compromised. Aside from this, you will feel constantly drained because of physical and mental exhaustion.
A study even revealed that increased work intensity leads to serious health issues. Aside from this, working too much will only affect the quality of your work. Most of the time, employees who work too much tend to have decreased quality of output. That means that if you are working on a particular project without taking any breaks, you will tend to deliver unsatisfactory outputs. With this, you will not only compromise your health but also put your career at risk.
How to Start Taking Regular Breaks at Work
- Change your mindset about taking breaks—The first thing you need to do is unlearn unhealthy work habits. Avoid working long hours without taking a break. Manage your time correctly and make sure that you include time for meal breaks. Ensure that you also allow yourself to step away from your desk so your brain can have time to relax and recharge.
- Try to go out even just for a few minutes—When you love what you are doing, you might be tempted to spend a lot of time working. However, you need to have a change of environment so you can focus more on your job. For instance, you can take office lunch breaks with your co-workers in a restaurant. Enjoy your meal, and take some time to chat with friends. You can also simply enjoy some quiet time alone. Find an ideal place near your workplace. Spend a few minutes outside so you can breathe some fresh air and avoid feeling stressed and exhausted.
- Work smart, not hard—Learn how to accomplish your tasks faster. That means you need to find a way to be better at delivering high-quality outputs within a shorter time. This way, you will have more time tackling the next project. Aside from this, you will have more chances to spend longer breaks without compromising your job. If you are having trouble finishing your job on time, it may be ideal for enhancing your skills. Learn new strategies that will help you do your job better.
Taking work breaks does not only help you improve your health. It also enables you to think of better ways to boost your career. If you keep implementing smart working habits, you can achieve your goals without spending too much time on your job. Learn to find a balance between work, play, and rest. Give yourself the chance to pursue your goals while taking care of your health and protecting your happiness.
