On hectic days when I have a lot of things to do on my computer, I use the Pomodoro technique to keep me efficient and productive. If you are not familiar with this time management system, it basically uses a timer to break down work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. Personally, I prefer the 50 minutes’ worktime block, followed by 10-minute breaks.
READ: Pomodoro Technique: A Simple Productivity Hack for Deep Work
When I first used this technique (25 minutes on, 5 minutes off), I often wouldn’t know what to do with the 5-minute windows throughout the day. As someone who can’t just stop working when “I’m in the zone,” I found myself skipping a lot of those precious 5-min breaks. Through time, I figured the 50-10 format worked better for my personal flow, and I’ve now managed to come up with a list of things that I do in those 10-minute breaks.
Whether you use the technique or not, many of us have small blocks of time throughout the day, so I thought these 10 break ideas can help us rest properly and adequately to boost our productivity. And also, maybe we can stop mindlessly scrolling through social media in our free time.
In this post:
1. Step outside.
Looking at little pockets of nature around can help us relax a bit. Open a door or window and take some deep breaths. If you have the option, walk around the block (please observe proper health protocols!). Feel the grass under your feet. Smell the flowers.
2. Read.
Read a chapter or two of a book. Learn something new or maybe just escape into the world of fiction for a bit. It doesn’t matter if you read actual physical books vs ebooks. The idea is to focus on non-work things for a bit and then get back to work somehow refreshed.
3. Play games.
Virtually any game that you enjoy can be beneficial by providing an escape from daily stress or just keep your mind off things that make you feel stuck at work. My choice of online games is simple and uncomplicated. I found this website called plays.org. If you’re like me who is just into super simple games without necessarily establishing addicting loops, check this site out. I love the variety of free games that are browser-based, meaning there’s no need to download apps to play. Plus you don’t need to register or set up a user account to enjoy using the site.
My go-to games here are the arcade classics, Tetra Blocks (Tetris-inspired) and Pac-Rat (Pacman-inspired). I also enjoy the different word and typing games. I’ve also been exploring simulation games, specifically this Open Restaurant game.
4. Grab a snack.
Speaking of restaurants, we Filipinos love snacking. Break time usually translates to snack time. Haha! So go ahead and grab a snack (or two). Also, there are foods that help increase your focus. Try nuts, popcorn, fruits, and dark chocolates.
5. Make a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate
Since last year, I’ve been building my home cafe. Taking time to brew my own coffee or experiment with different drinks has a relaxing effect on me. And of course, I get to enjoy my cup of coffee or tea.
View this post on Instagram
6. Journal or do a brain dump
Oftentimes, I lose focus on the current task at hand when I have a lot of things bothering me. Journaling helps. Write it down to make sense of what it is that’s taking up space in your mind. Sometimes, I write a gratitude list, a random list of things on my mind, or just writing in paragraphs, sentences, or even just phrases. Or maybe, you can just pause, pray and meditate.
READ: Starting the Day Right with “Miracle Morning”: 6 Morning Routine Habits Successful People Swear By
7. Clean your physical space
A clean physical space helps us keep our focus more on the things that matter. Clearing out your workspace or the kitchen sink or dining table can help take off the mental load of stressing over the clutter and/or planning to take care of it later. It’s amazing how a quick decluttering session can help you deal with work stress.
View this post on Instagram
8. Do a yoga stretch or two.
Sitting has been branded as the “new smoking” for its supposed public health risks, especially for people with sit-down office jobs. As many of us spend so much time in our home office, make sure to stand up and stretch in between deep work sessions. A quick yoga stretch helps ease the tension we feel, especially on the upper back and shoulder area. If yoga isn’t your cup of tea, go ahead and jog in place or maybe dance around during your 10-minute window.
9. Take a power nap
If you’re like me who gets frequent headaches, sometimes it’s good to step out and take a power nap. No screentime and just relax the eyes and mind during those longer chunks of break time.
10. Check the items on Next Actions
For days when I don’t want to break my produtivity momentum, I just go and check the Next Actions list on my Everdo app, it’s an application that follows the Getting Things Done principle. (Note to self: I’ll write about this next time.) Especially when I’m almost done with the task I’m working on, it’s a good chance to check and plan the rest of the day.
