• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MumsInc

Online & Distance Education Courses for Mums

  • Home
  • Why Choose Us?
  • Blog
  • Courses
    • For your Self Development
    • To Get Qualified
    • For you as a Parent
    • For Business Mums
    • Returning to work
  • Short PD Courses
    • For the Business Mum
    • For you as a Parent
    • For your Self Development
    • Returning to work
    • Special Interest
  • Bookstore
  • Contact
  • Pathways
  • Payment Options

November 9, 2020 By Mae

Why Taking a Break is Important

It’s easy to convince ourselves that there’s so much to do that we don’t have time to take a break. While skipping breaks saves you time and lets you finish work quickly, you might be sacrificing not just the quality of your work but also your physical and mental health. Truth be told, when taking a break, you are boosting your performance, which leads to a balance between well-being and productivity.

taking a break: a woman with her feet up on her desk while holding a cup of coffee

Defining a break

A break is a brief pause from an activity, whether physical or mental, with the intention of going back to it within a reasonable amount of time. It can be a holiday, a lunch break, or a quick break. These are found to reduce and prevent stress and help maintain performance throughout the day. According to studies, it can decrease exhaustion while increasing vigour and energy levels over time.

Benefits of taking a break

The benefits of taking a break are overwhelming. Here are some of them.

1. It is great for your physical and emotional health

Did you know that constantly sitting in front of your TV, at your desk, or in the office can increase your risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and depression? So, make sure to insert even a 5-minute break every hour every day to improve your blood circulation. Stand up and take a brief walk to the restroom or to the pantry for a glass of water. Instead of taking the elevator to see someone on the next floor, take the stairs. If you’re working from home, taking a break to check on your kids in the living room or tending to the plants is a good way to pause.

2. It keeps your decision-making skills sharp

Whatever type of work you do, there are always decisions to make. This can be exhausting, especially if you have to make decisions all day. However, by taking a break every now and then, you are letting your brain ‘recharge’ to avoid ‘decision fatigue’. According to a study, author S.J. Scott notes that more paroles were granted to prisoners when Israeli judges took their two daily breaks after they had been working for a while. It is said that a decision fatigue had already set in when the judges went for the easiest and safest option, which is to say ‘no’ to parole requests.

taking a break: a woman is doing her yoga at work

3. Taking a break improves creativity and productivity

Working endlessly without taking a break can only lead to exhaustion and fatigue. However, taking breaks in between can refresh your mind and replenish your mental sources. In case you haven’t noticed, we oftentimes find the answers and make brilliant solutions after taking a break. This is because our brains have recharged, and it’s as if we’re ‘writing on a clean paper’ again.

Ways to ensure taking a break is part of your daily routine

Oftentimes, taking a break is easier said than done, especially when we’re loaded with tasks and deadlines. Here are some ways to ensure that it remains a part of your daily routine.

1. Set an alarm

If you easily get engrossed with your tasks, it helps to set an alarm on your phone. A break every hour to keep you focused reaps good results.

2. Do something during your break

It sounds like there’s no point in taking a break if you’re going to do something during that time, right? However, what we mean here is doing something that you like in order to motivate you to take a break. Perhaps, you’d like to enjoy an iced lollipop, have a slice of cake or a piece of Snickers, or lie on the couch to nap.

a woman resting her head on the desk with the laptop on

3. Make reminders on your wall

If you have a corkboard on your wall, try to write a simple ‘TAKE A BREAK’ note on a flashy-coloured post-it to make it eye-catchy. That way, every time you look up, you are reminded to take a break.

taking a break: a red alarm clock against a wooden board

When not to take a break?

Taking a break is essential; however, the timing of your breaks also affects your productivity. The only time you may not take a break is when the ideas are already flowing. This is because once you stop, you might lose the stream of ideas, which is sometimes hard to bring back.

Taking a break is important to your physical and mental well-being, so never skimp on it.

You can also read our article on how to relax during your hectic days.

Filed Under: For you, Working from home

Primary Sidebar

Product Categories

  • Courses (21)
    • For the Business Mum (8)
    • For your Self Development (12)
    • Get Qualified (21)
      • Certificate II (1)
      • Certificate III (3)
      • Certificate IV (12)
      • Diploma (5)
      • Skill Sets (1)
  • Short PD Courses (4)
    • For the Business Mum (1)
    • For you as a Parent (3)
    • For your self development (3)
    • Returning to work (1)

Cart

Footer

Contact

MumsInc
RTO #45109

Ph: 1800 595 325
Email: [email protected]


Mailing Address:
PO Box 622
Burleigh, Qld 4220


To view our Audit Report please click here

Connect

  • Facebook

Enquiries

If you have any questions at all. Book a time that suits you and we will give you a call: Book here: 
We can also be contacted by phone, email or via the online enquiry form below.

Online Enquiry


    Accreditations & Memberships

    Copyright © 2025 Grow Training Group
    Website by Align Media