Here's How to Make the Most Out of
Your Breaks at Work
Breaks are the best part of the workday, aren’t they? Even if you love what you do, everyone needs a break now and then. During your breaks, you likely gossip with co-workers, talk about the project you’re working on, have a smoke break, or some other casual interaction. But did you know that breaks can be more than just socialization opportunities? Even if you only get a half-hour lunch, you can still make the most out of it with these tips.
We’ll cover some of the ways you can improve the efficiency and productivity of your breaks. From ditching tobacco for good to reading books and improving skills, these are some of the best ways to maximize those daily breaks.
Ditch The Cigarettes
Quitting smoking is probably the best decision you’ll ever make for your personal health and mental stability (not to mention, your wallet). Cigarettes are deadly, as you know, to both the smoker and anyone within the smoker’s immediate vicinity. Secondhand smoke is not a joke—it does cause illness and even death in non-smokers. Each year, thousands die from it, and many of them are exposed at their workplace.
Luckily for you, we’re in the golden age of smoking cessation. So many apps, support groups, and informative websites/resources are available to smokers, and alternative products like tobaccoless chew from https://blackbuffalo.com/, nicotine gum, nicotine patches, CBD products, and more can help alleviate your nicotine withdrawal symptoms to make quitting easier.
Smoking usually takes up a large portion of your breaks, if not the entire break. You’re probably rushing back after a 15-minute smoke break, and then you’re stressed the rest of the time until your next cigarette. That’s no way to live, and it’s certainly no way to reach your maximum productivity at work. It’s time to quit smoking for the sake of your health and your career.
Read A Book
Did you know that almost 25% of American adults didn’t read a single book in the last year? Books are some of the best ways to learn new perspectives, new information, and challenge your brain. People who read books frequently often have a greater perspective of the world and its issues, and reading fiction can actually increase your empathy and understanding!
Do you remember the wonder of being a child at storytime? Stories of brave knights, terrifying monsters, and conquering heroes filled most of us with wonder and imagination, and yet, somewhere along the way, that wonder faded. Bills got in the way. Society’s problems got in the way. Our phones, TVs, and tablets got in the way. And somewhere, nearly a quarter of the population forgot the wonder of the written word.
Reading a book can be both therapeutic and informative. If you take the time to read a book during your work break, you may find that your days are a little less stressful and you have something you can look forward to (aside from that delicious lunch you packed last night).
Practice A Skill
Mobile devices have allowed us to take infinite knowledge with us in the palm of our hands anywhere we want. This means that you can utilize your mobile phone, tablet, or computer to increase your skills during your work break. There are thousands of courses available on sites like Udemy that can help you learn new and valuable skills.
Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn an instrument, or learn marketing, or you want to go into business. All of this is possible, and you can utilize the extra time you have during the day in the form of breaks to increase your skillset.
Make Connections
Connections are some of the most important events in our lives. Connecting with other people can make us happier, feel more understood, and open up new opportunities. Use your break time to connect with someone new in your workplace. Maybe there’s a new employee who feels left out, or someone you’ve always wanted to talk to, but haven’t tried yet.
These connections could foster new opportunities in your workplace, or, at the least, foster a new friendship with your team members.
Call A Loved One
Speaking of connections, who often gets left behind while we focus on our careers, our love lives, and everything else that life throws our way? It’s usually our family members or loved ones. Since you have time during your break, perhaps you should utilize that time to catch up with your mother, brother, sister, or best friend. A simple phone call can truly make someone’s day, especially if they feel they’ve been forgotten. Parents often feel lonely in old age after the kids have all moved out, and a phone call can be just the thing to lift their spirits.