Micro-Breaks and Screen Breaks: What They Are and Why They Matter
Encouraging employees to take micro-breaks boosts workplace productivity and can maintain their general and physical wellbeing. See the benefits of micro-breaks in the workplace here.
Under UK law, workers are entitled to one uninterrupted 20-minute break during their workday if they work more than 6 hours a day.1 However, to boost employee productivity and wellbeing, you may also want to go above and beyond legal break requirements and implement micro-breaks and screen breaks at work for your employees.
What is a micro-break?
A micro-break is a short break taken during the workday to stand up and stretch, walk up and down stairs, gaze out a window at nature, get a snack or make a cup of coffee, or even do a mindful meditation. This can be any activity other than work that helps keep energy levels high and reduce strain on the body. Additionally, micro-breaks have been shown to help reduce stress and improve concentration, which makes them essential in the workplace.2
Generally, taking micro work breaks of around 10 minutes can lead to better performance,3 but there are still benefits to taking shorter brain breaks.
What are the benefits of micro-breaks?
There are many benefits to taking micro-breaks and screen breaks at work – from improved productivity to maintaining general health. See more on the benefits of micro-breaks below to find out how essential they really are.
Boosts workplace productivity
Studies on taking micro-breaks at work have shown an increase in productivity and a reduction in stress. These breaks also keep us engaged for longer and make work more enjoyable, helping to avoid burnout.4 Reducing burnout in your company leads to better employee retention, fewer employee sick days and increased productivity. By taking intermittent breaks away from your work - and from computer screens - you can boost your own productivity and that of your employees too.
Maintains employee physical wellbeing
Micro-breaks and screen breaks can help us cope with long periods at our desks by taking the strain off of certain parts of the body - such as our neck or lower back. Taking five minutes to do a physical activity such as a walk to grab a coffee, or doing some stretching, are associated with increased positive emotions at work and decreased fatigue. Additionally, staring at a screen all day without breaks can lead to eye strain and Computer Vision Syndrome.5 To combat eye strain, screen breaks at work are ideal. The NHS recommends the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes take a break from looking at your screen and look at something at least 20 feet away for around 20 seconds.6
Make sure to see our full guide on wellbeing in the workplace for further insights on how to care for employee welfare.
Better work performance
Research shows that even a 27-second micro-break can reduce fatigue, increase performance and optimise energy expenditure.7 Employees who take micro-breaks show less fatigue and greater energy and enthusiasm for their work. This is because concentrating for prolonged periods of time depletes the brain and leads to a decline in performance. It's not clear yet what causes this depletion but using up all our “mental fuel” and running on empty can negatively impact job performance across the board.8 The good news is that it seems micro-breaks, from 20 seconds to 10 minutes, help “refresh” our brains.
Improves general wellbeing
Many of us know we should take more time for ourselves during the day or week, but often think we’re “too busy” to rest. This leads to feeling stressed and is a one-way ticket to burnout. In fact, in a survey, 71% of respondents reported feeling stressed during the workday.9 Taking smaller micro-breaks can be just as effective in combating stress and burnout as longer breaks. Remember, stress affects the whole body, not just the brain, so micro-breaks can be a huge help for our overall wellbeing.
In places that have furry animals in the workplace, petting a dog can be a great micro-break and has been shown to reduce stress and boost morale.10 Other activities that can boost your general wellbeing on a micro-break include watering office plants, rearranging the placement of items in your space, and engaging in workplace culture - e.g., chatting with colleagues as you get up to refill your coffee or water.
Regularly taking a break from your work can be both a treatment and prevention, revitalizing you in the short term and allowing you to recalibrate when things don’t go to plan. As well as abiding by the law of breaks at work, using micro-breaks and stepping away from screens for as little as 2 minutes can boost productivity, improve physical well-being, lead to better work performance, and lead to can work toward a general improvement in mental health at work. To keep yourself and your employees in tip-top shape at work, micro-breaks might be your best way forward.
Related Brands
