Time is a precious and fleeting commodity. There never seems to be enough in the workday, especially for busy salespeople. So, does it make sense to take breaks during the day and dedicate time to yourself and your mindset? Taking time to step away from work may seem like an unproductive and frivolous task, but it has proven to be more valuable than previously realized; especially in our digital, on demand world.
With today’s complex and ever-changing environments, it is very easy to get burned out and discouraged, so making time for self-care has become a highly valuable, albeit underutilized, necessity. Energy and passion are paramount for any successful salesperson. Prospects, and clients alike, can see (and hear) when a person is overtired or unenthusiastic. Allowing for a little time each day to reset your mind and body enables you to positively affect your production, your creativity, and your wellbeing.
Taking breaks is proven to enhance your work, which leads to more personal satisfaction. Therefore practicing proper mindfulness techniques has no downside for both the user and their company. Simply put, a contented employee is a better employee.
The Microbreak
Research shows that microbreaks are valuable because they help to enhance your mindset by freeing you from being tied to your desk all day. Allocating time for mindfulness doesn’t mean you need to take a whole day off from your responsibilities – just a small amount of that precious resource can help you recharge, refocus and perform better.
Breaking up the workday for just 15 minutes is beneficial for both mind and body. This practice helps to alleviate stress, improve concentration, facilitate creativity, and increase motivation. In fact, studies have shown that those who took slightly longer microbreaks tended to have lower heart rates, suggesting that they had a calming effect as well.
Ultimately the subject’s work didn’t require as much correcting or reviewing, proving that a meaningful break can actually save time as it enables more effective and efficient productivity. All of these benefits make work more enjoyable and more engaging.
There is no disadvantage to making proper mindfulness breaks habitual.
The Type of Break Matters
Taking regular breaks during the workday does need to be done in a conscious and decisive manner. If you’re using your break time to eat, stream a show, or browse the internet mindlessly, you won’t get any benefit at all. In fact, a study found that workers who took only snack/coffee breaks felt more tired than those who also took breaks from work. One explanation is that snack breaks tended to overlap with other types of winding down, like being sociable, making it harder to discern their impact. But another explanation is that the other breaks were more enjoyable and fulfilling — just eliminating hunger or thirst doesn’t always make you happy!
There are really only two rules when it comes to taking a break: they should be intentional and voluntary. The key is to do something that makes you happy…and then enjoy it. Maybe that’s listening to music in your car, meditating in a quiet spot, going for a walk outside to get fresh air and sunlight, or simply stretching and “getting the blood flowing”. Activities like these will make you feel relaxed and rejuvenated. And these are just some of the many microbreaks you can use to improve your well-being.
Conclusion
Taking breaks at work can be just as important as the activities you do during the day. It’s during these little breaks that you can restore your energy, refocus your attention and make sure that you’re performing at your best. But it’s important to ensure that these microbreaks are more than just procrastination — they need to be a benefit not a detraction.
When it comes to sustaining your motivation, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Some people need to take more frequent, short breaks to recharge, while for others it’s an occasional activity, or an activity with another person that best recharges the batteries.
But whatever works for you, the key is to make sure that you’re being thoughtful to yourself and your needs. Finding, and making, time to break away from your work regularly can be difficult. But learning how to do so is one of the most important actions you can take for your wellbeing and productivity.
Make time now…your future self will thank you!
