Regardless of whether you work a salaried position, or make hourly pay, you likely have a set number of “breaks” allowed to you each day, and those can range anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes each. Often, businesses offer employees a lunch break of approximately 30-60 minutes, and then a morning and afternoon break of a shorter amount of time. Obviously, your lunch break is used for eating lunch, but the morning and afternoon breaks are often wasted, or forgotten about altogether!
So, how can you make the most of your breaks on the job?
Think Fit. Think you don’t have time for exercise? If you have 2 or more breaks at work each day, even if they are only 5-10 minutes each, then you actually do have time to work toward a healthier YOU. Taking even 10 minutes to do a brisk walk around the parking lot, or run up and down a few flights of stairs in the office, can go a long way in helping you reach your personal health and weight goals. Instead of letting your break become a time of temptation to grab a leftover donut from the break room, why not use it to accomplish a goal and make yourself feel better in the process?
Small Tasks, Big Impact. If you work long hours, it can seem like tasks pile up at home and you can be overwhelmed each day from the moment you walk through the door until you hit the bed for sleep. Make a list of small tasks that can be done remotely, and take less than 10 minutes, and carry that list with you to the office. Paying a bill over the phone or online, calling a friend or loved one to do a quick check-in, sending an email to your child’s teacher, making a grocery list, etc. are all easy chores to check off your list, and can easily be done right at your desk on your morning or afternoon break. It will help lessen your load when you leave work!
Make Connections. If you spend every single break stuck at your desk refusing to leave the office or cubicle, you won’t do much for your presence in the workplace. Take at least one of your breaks each week to spend time socializing with coworkers. Being personable and making friends among your peers can go a long way in moving up the ranks in your job, and that could lead to important promotions one day.
We hope you’ll think of your breaks in a different way and can use these tips to get more “bang for your break”. Still looking for the perfect job after an extended break? PHR Staffing Solutions is ready to help you find the match made for you. Give us a call or apply for one of our current openings online.