What is the Importance of Taking Breaks When Working Remotely?

There are many benefits to taking breaks while working remotely that management and employees undermine. It’s not to say that it’s their fault, given that balancing work and home life in one setting is a fairly new concept.

Digital employees are now gaining traction compared to onsite employees. Ever since the global lockdown, companies have learned to fully utilise the benefits of the Internet and its ability for instant communication regardless of each other’s location.

However, just like with every new method, changes occur which are often overlooked. Take the time to learn more about the benefits of breaks in remote working to encourage yourself and your employees in the long run.

What are the Negative Effects of Skipping Breaks?

Taking breaks while working remotely prevents burnout, losing concentration, and an unhealthy attachment to work resulting in fatigue. The worst part is remote employee retention will drop while turnover rates will increase. An environment wherein breaks are not prioritised by the management can only lead to employee dissatisfaction and breakdowns. While it may look as if they’re being their more productive selves, it’s only a matter of time before the employees either quit or get sick. =

What are the Benefits of Breaks?

The biggest benefit in taking breaks is a work-life balance for remote workers. While it may sound only beneficial to the employees, management and the company itself will find that a work-life balance for their staff creates more productivity compared to others. 

Management and employees can find themselves evaluating goals and planning their tasks more efficiently after a short break. Finally finding time to relieve themselves of the pressure and momentarily gather themselves increases the productivity and focus of employees.

Collaboration becomes more efficient when employees choose to take breaks. When their minds are refocused, their creative and innovative ideas that can benefit the company also increase.

10 Tips for Taking Effective Breaks While Working Remotely

While it may sound like the complete opposite of WFH productivity tips, breaks can strengthen and increase collaboration, innovation, and productivity in employees. Listed below are 10 useful tips that individuals can follow to create a foolproof effective break.

Set a Timer

Unlike onsite working, taking breaks while working remotely is done solely on your own accord. It’s important to remind yourself to take breaks in between your shifts to prevent burnout and other negative effects you may experience.

The best way to remind yourself is to set a timer for your break and when to resume working. You can simply use your phone’s alarms or a physical clock to remind yourself that it’s time to either take a break or resume working.

Take a Walk

It’s important to note that there are types of breaks that are inefficient compared to others. Taking a walk during your break from your online job can help you both mentally and physically. Not only do you get a decent amount of exercise, but you can also find yourself becoming more mentally energised.

Studies show that utilising walks at any point increases the fitness and health of your heart and lungs. This means it helps reduce high cholesterol, manage diabetes, and stretch your muscles to prevent stiffness.

Meditate

An effective way of taking breaks while working remotely is to meditate during breaks. Reflecting, doing yoga, and mindfulness practices can energise a person’s mental health. This is essential for remote workers who may be more isolated than others.

Meditating can also improve an employee’s focus on their tasks and maintain a calm mind during many deadlines ahead. Being able to withstand pressure and stress from any setbacks caused naturally during business processing is a crucial skill to overcome these obstacles.

Short Exercise

Another way of productively using breaks is to have a short exercise. A 10-15 minute exercise can improve health and energy for remote employees. A healthy body and mind help with the stiffness and lethargy that accumulate when working and sitting on a chair for long periods.

Should remote workers fail to exercise their bodies, it will eventually lead them into a sedentary lifestyle, which can cause problems in their health in the long run. Ensure the quality of your employees’ lives by promoting quick, short exercises to regain their strength.

Take a Nap

Even adults need a nap sometimes. It’s important to take advantage of the breaks given and recharge your energy. This includes taking short naps that can boost your memory and increase alertness.

While some may opt for a different method of taking breaks while working remotely, some workers are prone to something called “the midday slump.” 

This slump refers to feeling drowsy in the afternoon. Having this type of experience will cause you to lose concentration, work more slowly, and even become more prone to errors. If you’re the type of worker who easily gets sleepy during a specific time, it’s best to utilise breaks to take care of the problem.

Have Snacks

When we say snacks, we don’t mean chips and chocolate. Although these types of snacks can come off as a little treat for a job well done, it’s better to have a daily snack that is nutritious and benefits your body.

Employees who prefer to eat during their break should take advantage of quick healthy recipes you can find online. These recipes may include fruits, whole grains, and other nutritious ingredients that can boost your overall health.

Socialise

A big problem when it comes to remote working is the isolation. Many remote workers lose contact with other people and focus on their work rather than create any effort to socialise instead. 

This can be a big problem even in the workplace. Losing connection in relationships can result in misunderstandings and an inability to participate in team building. Those who are already introverted, to begin with, suffer the most in these situations.

It’s best to socialise when taking breaks while working remotely. Chat with co-workers, family, or friends. Consider using the break to have a short meal with someone as well in order to build employee relationships.

Rest Eyes

A big issue when working remotely is eye strain. Many employees experience migraines or light sensitivity caused by consistently looking at screens while working. The best way to prevent any health issues with your eyesight is to rest your eyes.

Taking breaks while working remotely should also include letting your eyes rest from the harshness of the screen. Blinking more than your natural rate can help rehydrate your eyes and prevent them from drying.

In order to do this, all you have to do is look to focus on something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. This is called the 20-20-20 method. If there’s nothing to focus on that’s twenty feet away, you can simply stand up and get a glass of water or do other activities for a few minutes.

Snuggle Pet

Pets are the type of family that can also be beneficial for remote workers. Whether they are cats, dogs, or unique pets, these animals can provide comfort during stressful times. Even without working, pet snuggling produces oxytocin in humans. Oxytocin in your body helps you retain a sense of joy and positivity. As a result of your mood, your focus and tackling of tasks and organising them becomes more efficient. 

Loneliness is also solved by snuggling your pets when taking breaks while working remotely. Having the company of a loved one by your side as you work through your day-to-day tasks can reduce the feeling of isolation and motivate you to continue working. 

Drink Water

Remote work productivity is also affected by the amount of water you consume on a daily basis. Hydrating yourself with water can reduce the chances of headaches like migraines, lack of concentration, and overall fatigue.

Many people tend to forget to drink water. The same can be said for employees who are working from home. As they continue with their job, employees become too engrossed to notice their bodies are getting thirsty. Ensure you remain hydrated to prevent any health issues in the long run by drinking water on a daily basis. Having a big cup of water beside you can benefit as you continue working while within reach of it.

Short breaks when working remotely like this can have a big effect on an employee’s health and mind, boosting their morale and productivity.

Conclusion

There are many other ways of taking breaks while working remotely. The goal is to take advantage of these breaks and create a healthy benefit for you and other employees. It is essential to learn to maximise your capabilities while balancing your own personal life after all. Want to learn more about the ways you can maximise success remotely? Read more on how to boost productivity on our blog page today!