I watched the first two tips, then took a short break before I returned to watch the last three.
On a serious note, it seems to me that you can incorporate all five if you leave your desk without your phone, head outdoors with a colleague or friend, and take a short brisk walk and talk about something other than work. Great post, Dan!!!
This is very helpful and is confirmed by several other things I’ve been reading lately. Did you know the Finns have a word for “going out into the forest to take a break”? I can’t tell you what it is yet because I have only just started reading THAT book. Thanks!
Good one Dan. I think a walk after lunch is greatly restorative. While I agree going with someone is good but in some cases it is good to go for a walk alone to clear your mind as well. I agree some sort of movement is the key.
On office days when I tend to sit at my home office desk for hours, I have no-one to chat to :-(. So I just went outside, without my phone, watered my flowers and had a wee chat with them . . . we’re all feeling revived. Thanks Dan.
My 1st Pinkcast, and it was great coverage of the ideal break! I’ve got pre-planned outdoor walking loops of varying lengths, so that I can fit a walking break into the time available.
I especially appreciate the point mentioned that even a little break beats no break at all. I constantly get caught up in the day-to-day and then wind up not taking a break and will sometimes forgo a break because I’ve only got 5 minutes. No more! Thanks Dan.
I have a art school and we work on intense art and design projects. The classes are 4-7 hours long and I noticed that some students really struggled with focus. But one of my students would take a break by inviting others to join him for an outdoor walk and it was the perfect solution. They would come back refreshed and 100% able to engage in their art making. So thank you for the podcast, I’ll be sharing it with my class.
Something, moving, social, outside, detached – take the dog for a walk! You always meet someone with another dog and never does work intrude on such conversations!
Just returned from wedding in La Jolla – broke away from group and hiked the coastline trail – stunning, but balance of group wouldn’t leave poolside/golf course so went solo.
How best to nudge others to peel off from the group grope?
I work adjacent to a large open space with trails through the hills. Better yet, the employer has a locker room with a shower for our use. At noon daily, a group meets at the locker, changes into running attire, and we go for a run, typically around 4-5 miles. (Yes, we leave the cellphones in the locker!) I agree, I am revitalized upon returning to work. Good advice, Dan. Thanks!
Hmmm… seeing as how I am currently working as a farm hand, I will say that pretty much the 1st FOUR tips are what we spend our long 9 to 10+ hour days doing already… so on busy harvest days, our brief (sometimes not even a half hour !) lunch should be spent doing more of the same ?! LOL I kind of doubt it ! Makes me think this “study” was done on mostly sedentary desk workers !
Loving your book! … which talks about taking a break… I recently purchased an Apple IWatch that reminds me when it is time to stand — I stand/move around or make it my time to “take a break” upon notification… I work from home but I take my dogs outside for a break — we don’t talk about work! ? BTW did I tell you that I’m love your book – WHEN? Great stuff!
I watched the first two tips, then took a short break before I returned to watch the last three.
On a serious note, it seems to me that you can incorporate all five if you leave your desk without your phone, head outdoors with a colleague or friend, and take a short brisk walk and talk about something other than work. Great post, Dan!!!
What about naps?
Nap with someone, outside and movement (hmm movement)
This is very helpful and is confirmed by several other things I’ve been reading lately. Did you know the Finns have a word for “going out into the forest to take a break”? I can’t tell you what it is yet because I have only just started reading THAT book. Thanks!
Really appreciate this post! Is “social beats solo” true even when you’re in back-to-back meetings all day?
Good one Dan. I think a walk after lunch is greatly restorative. While I agree going with someone is good but in some cases it is good to go for a walk alone to clear your mind as well. I agree some sort of movement is the key.
Interesting, Forest Bathing is highly recommended for a break.
Ima pass on that one, Ashwani!
Great Pinkcast Dan. I needed to be reminded of each of these 5 points. Keep bringing forth solid observations and findings.
On office days when I tend to sit at my home office desk for hours, I have no-one to chat to :-(. So I just went outside, without my phone, watered my flowers and had a wee chat with them . . . we’re all feeling revived. Thanks Dan.
My 1st Pinkcast, and it was great coverage of the ideal break! I’ve got pre-planned outdoor walking loops of varying lengths, so that I can fit a walking break into the time available.
I especially appreciate the point mentioned that even a little break beats no break at all. I constantly get caught up in the day-to-day and then wind up not taking a break and will sometimes forgo a break because I’ve only got 5 minutes. No more! Thanks Dan.
I have a art school and we work on intense art and design projects. The classes are 4-7 hours long and I noticed that some students really struggled with focus. But one of my students would take a break by inviting others to join him for an outdoor walk and it was the perfect solution. They would come back refreshed and 100% able to engage in their art making. So thank you for the podcast, I’ll be sharing it with my class.
Daniel
Good advice….I will take my break now…
Faith and Hope
Something, moving, social, outside, detached – take the dog for a walk! You always meet someone with another dog and never does work intrude on such conversations!
Great info…but the Doors song is so typical “baby boomer trying to be cool”. Just makes you look “old and in the way” (get it…Jerry Garcia reference).
Just returned from wedding in La Jolla – broke away from group and hiked the coastline trail – stunning, but balance of group wouldn’t leave poolside/golf course so went solo.
How best to nudge others to peel off from the group grope?
Awesome – thanks Dan! I’m helping students deal with procrastination at the moment – so this information is perfect.
Something to share with my staff. Great tips. Looking forward to seeing you at ICMA in Baltimore in September.
I work adjacent to a large open space with trails through the hills. Better yet, the employer has a locker room with a shower for our use. At noon daily, a group meets at the locker, changes into running attire, and we go for a run, typically around 4-5 miles. (Yes, we leave the cellphones in the locker!) I agree, I am revitalized upon returning to work. Good advice, Dan. Thanks!
Bravo, Dan
Love the Doors close. Break on through! Thanks Dan.
Hmmm… seeing as how I am currently working as a farm hand, I will say that pretty much the 1st FOUR tips are what we spend our long 9 to 10+ hour days doing already… so on busy harvest days, our brief (sometimes not even a half hour !) lunch should be spent doing more of the same ?! LOL I kind of doubt it ! Makes me think this “study” was done on mostly sedentary desk workers !
Loving your book! … which talks about taking a break… I recently purchased an Apple IWatch that reminds me when it is time to stand — I stand/move around or make it my time to “take a break” upon notification… I work from home but I take my dogs outside for a break — we don’t talk about work! ? BTW did I tell you that I’m love your book – WHEN? Great stuff!