It is officially summer, and many of you are looking forward to that much needed vacation. Not only is time away from the office important for your personal life, but taking a break is beneficial to your professional life as well. “Most people have better life perspective and are more motivated to achieve their goals after a vacation, even if it is a 24-hour time-out, Francine Lederer, a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles.
Studies have shown that time away from the office can actually be a productivity booster. Just as small breaks improve concentration, long breaks replenish job performance, says Derek Thompson, senior editor, The Atlantic. A number of research studies have shown that productivity decreases as we move beyond 40 hour weeks. Here are a few ways to consider improving your productivity while you are waiting for your next getaway:
- Planning your vacation. Research shows that anticipating a trip often makes people happier than the trip itself. You can get the benefits of a vacation more times during the year by taking shorter vacations, more often.
- Walking Outside. Taking a walk outside on a beautiful day can relieve stress, improve your focus, make you happier, and give you more energy. Regular walkscan enhance the connectivity of important brain circuits, combat age-related declines in brain function and improve memory and cognitive performance, reported Buffer editor Courtney Seiter.
- Exercise your eyes. With more time in most jobs requiring using a computer, it is important to provide breaks for your eyes. If you look at a screen most of the day, your eyes could use a rest. Use the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take a break for at least 20 seconds and look at objects that are 20 feet away from you.
- Walk Inside. Get up and move around in your office. You’ll find that taking the time to walk down the hall every hour or standing during a conference call can actually help you stay on task better.
We mistakenly believe that more hours will always increase output, while ignoring the clear evidence: The secret to being an effective worker is not working too hard, according to Derek Thompson in The Atlantic. Whether you take a week’s vacation, or a 20 minute stroll, make the time to step away from your work and give yourself a break.
JAN-PRO makes sure your office spaces remain clean and safe so you don’t need to worry about that. We are your partner in helping to maintain a healthy, orderly, and clean work environment.