What is one benefit of taking a regular break at work?

To help you see the benefits of regular work breaks, we asked business leaders and HR professionals this question for their best insights. From creating opportunities to innovate to getting a break from screen time, there are several reasons why you should take regular breaks at work. 

Here are nine benefits of taking regular work breaks:

• Create Opportunities to Innovate and Improve
• Refocus and Check Your Performance
• Keep You Fresh for the Rest of Your Day
• Develop Healthy Habits
• Avoid Stress and Burnout
• Valuable Opportunities for Reflection
• Chance to Interact With Coworkers
• Not Staring at a Screen for Too Long
• The Lost Zeal is Retained

Create Opportunities to Innovate and Improve

Taking breaks is important to your personal health and wellness. It is also important to improve your overall productivity. Within the Marketing industry, it is especially important to take breaks for innovation and creativity. During breaks you have the opportunity to catch up on readings, trainings, courses and things that are important to your strategic development and career progression.

Rronniba Pemberton, Markitors

Refocus and Check Your Performance

Taking a regular break has many advantages, not the least of which is catching your breath when you are super busy. By taking a break you can hit the reset button to refocus and evaluate your performance. Working yourself to the bone decreases productivity, as the less energy you have, the less you can do. Take a break and re-energize, and your productivity can improve substantially.

Ryan Shallenberger, SEKISUI

Keep You Fresh for the Rest of Your Day

The power of a break to recharge your batteries and keep you fresh for the rest of your day.
A few minutes here or there can do wonders, as long as they're used properly! Taking breaks during work hours is important if we want our employees (and ourselves) at full capacity when it matters most- during deadlines/projections etc.

Saskia Ketz, Mojomox

Develop Healthy Habits

Breaks might assist you in developing better habits. Healthy habits, such as eating good meals, exercising, and getting plenty of sleep, are essential when you're busy and stressed. Taking a thorough lunch break allows you to incorporate these healthy habits into your regular working day, whether it's finding time to prepare and eat a nutritious meal or going for a run or stroll outside. You could even try to fit in a 20-minute nap, which would free up room in your working memory for new information and aid in transferring new material.

Regular breaks are an excellent time to take your eyes away from your computer or smartphone screen can also aid in the prevention of computer vision syndrome, which is characterized by eye strain and headaches. Medical professionals advocate taking a 20-minute break from your computer and staring at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.

Axel Hernborg, Tripplo

Avoid Stress and Burnout

Taking regular breaks at work is important for avoiding burnout and decreased productivity. When you feel your stress level getting too high, try taking a 5 minute break to reset your frame of mind. You can do some light to moderate exercise to get a small boost of endorphins like jumping jacks or dynamic stretching. You can also try focusing on a positive emotion during your break, rather than spending that time dreading going back to work. Think about something you are looking forward to or a recent fun experience you had. Thinking about these things can lift your mood and help you feel more relaxed while working.

Nathalie Walton, Expectful

Valuable Opportunities for Reflection

Frequent breaks allow individuals time away from their desks which encourages them to reflect upon what they have accomplished during the day thus far. This introspective time allows employees an opportunity to gain greater insight about themselves and identify areas that they may need to improve upon. Breaks can also be used as an opportunity to plan out what needs to be done for the remainder of the day or week.

Chris Thompson, Backdoor Survival

Chance to Interact With Coworkers

Breaks are great opportunities for people to blow off some steam and take a quick breather. They can catch up with their coworkers and engage in water-cooler conversation, share experiences and even enjoy some light-hearted humor. This also breaks the ice for those who are shy and can help to build a strong work relationship with colleagues. Additionally, breaks provide an opportunity for coworkers to share ideas and troubleshoot solutions.

Sam Santa, Zeitholz

Not Staring at a Screen for Too Long

If you work at a job which requires constant attention to a computer screen (as many jobs do), you should definitely take at least one break each day to detach yourself from this position. Staring at a computer screen for too long can cause pain in your eyes, weakened vision and more difficulty with focusing on tasks. You need to take some time to get outside or walk around in order to rest your eyes from constantly being glued to a screen and to learn how to experience enough life outside of navigating a computer. You will feel more balanced mentally and less drained upon returning to your computer after taking a break.

Schuyler Hoversten, Swoopt

The Lost Zeal is Retained

No matter how passionate one feels about his/her, the routines are bound to make things boring. At times, some can even consider a job or work a liability. When this mentality hits, creativity and productivity are hampered big time. One might not feel connected or committed to ongoing projects. Taking a break from work makes one feel rejuvenated and relaxed.

The mind gets a refreshment and once the break is over, the lost motivation or passion is back. People involved in art and creative fields like artists, painters, writers, and poets need to take a break to hit the highs of creativity and create masterpieces. A work break allows one to think differently and feel rejuvenated.

Jonathan Tian, Mobitrix