I have a few questions for you right off the get-go. Think about the following questions:
How do you spend your work breaks?
Would you like to change how you spend this time?
Do you get pigeon holed into the same work break routine? Eating at your desk or scrolling through your phone? Or do you just work through your breaks because you're not sure what do do.
Well....let's figure out what you really need. One way to do this is with the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness can help you to figure out what your body and mind need. Once you give yourself what you really need you will actually see an increase in your productivity and focus.
Try this mindfulness activity: At your morning break or lunch break today think to yourself “What do I really need right now?”
You can write down a few thoughts that come to you or just think it over in your mind.
Do any of these thoughts come up? Is it:
Food/a snack?
A walk?
Connection with a coworker or partner?
Water?
A stretch?
A meditation?
A change of scenery?
A laugh?
A cry?
To listen to music?
To read the news or a blog?
To read a book?
To draw or do another expression of creativity?
The act of checking in with yourself is mindful and an act of self care.
Asking the question increases your awareness of how you are feeling and managing today and gives yourself permission to seek out what you really need. This takes about 1 minute and once you put this into place at every work break it will become a simple habit.
When you allow your body and mind to truly be taken care of, your focus and productivity for the rest of the day (or until your next break) truly will increase.
Give it a try and feel the difference!
