How to take a break at Workshop.
Photo by Photoholgic
This week as schools go back and more of our members return to their regular and part time desks at Workshop I decided to write about the importance of taking breaks. My thinking being that while most of us have been locked down at home, many working there, others not able to, that doesn’t mean everyone has found the time to take breaks or pursue regular pastimes.
I recently read an anecdote about Dwight Eisenhower’s habit of maintaining a secret retreat (it was a rented house near Richmond Park) whilst commanding the allied forces from London during the second world war. He wouldn’t receive calls outside regular work hours and would use this space and time to ‘play bridge well and golf badly’. The point to note about Eisenhower is how he responded to the huge pressures and responsibilities of his role and the demands on his time. He found it essential to take time off.
Now, as we collectively seek to rebuild the economy, there will no doubt be pressure to work long hours and, as always, do so as productively as possible, but it’s important to remember that those two things are not the same. There are plenty of ways to keep fresh during a working day, and it’s easy if you get in the habit. Here’s a reminder of why it’s worthwhile and also some methods you might not have tried – I’m open to any excuse to daydream, who knew it could be the secret to success?
Why Take Breaks?
1. Stuck to your chair? “Movement breaks” are essential for your physical and emotional health.
2. Procrastinating? Breaks can prevent “decision fatigue.”
3. Breaks restore motivation, especially for long-term goals.
4. Breaks increase productivity and creativity.
5. “Waking rest” helps consolidate memories and improve learning. We always knew daydreaming was the route to success.
What kind of breaks?
1. Walk or exercise – we see the stairs in our listed Georgian townhouse as a form of exercise.
2. Connect with nature... or a streetscape – the views from our meeting rooms look out over the Cathedral Close and green hills beyond – the higher up the building you go the better the views.
3. Change your environment – if you’re hot desking there is a choice of rooms to work in.
4. Have lunch or a healthy snack – we’re a few minutes’ walk from the city centre and a great choice of independent cafes and high street shops.
5. Take a “power nap”—if it won’t get you fired. Workshop has 3 sofas, feel free to stretch out and recharge your batteries if you need to
6. Take a few deep breaths.
7. Meditate – find a quiet spot and off you go
8. Daydream – with great views on all sides our windows are made for staring through.
9. Get creative – grab a pen and doodle your way to a solution, use one of the whiteboards and go large.
10. Drink coffee (or tea) – Winchester Fruit Basket from Char Teas or freshly ground coffee from Winchester Coffee Roasters, what’s your choice?.
You can read up on the science and research behind these suggestions at: www.psychologytoday.com
We also find at Workshop that being part of a community means there are regular positive interruptions and conversations throughout the day, whether that’s when you first arrive in the morning and catch up with someone you haven’t seen for a couple of weeks, or an inspiring initiative shared by a Workshopper via WhatsApp. Creative conversations are happening all the time and are an invaluable part of the co working experience.