WFH WELLBEING: HOW MICRO BREAKS CAN HELP YOU
Take 5 to reduce stress, improve performance, and manage energy levels at work.
The current COVID-19 guidance advises office employees to work from home where possible. With almost 2 years of on/off working from home, you may have noticed that the time you spend away from your desk has reduced. In the office you may have stepped away from you desk to make a drink and found yourself inadvertently bumping into a colleague and having a catch-up, moving to a meeting room, or simply getting up to collect some printing. The isolation of working from home has left many of glued to our screen and confined to the four walls of our study or makeshift office - and this is having a negative impact on our overall wellbeing.
Often when we think of taking a break, we focus on the large ones - the lunch breaks, weekends or periods of annual leave. And yes these are important for our mental health, but they are not the only breaks we should be taking.
Why ‘micro breaks’ could help
Research has found that taking ‘micro-breaks’ throughout the day can have a positive impact on your overall wellbeing and productivity. These breaks can reduce or prevent stress, help maintain performance throughout the day and reduce the need for a long recovery at the end of the day. Scientists from North Carolina State University refer to micro breaks as five minutes or less. These short breaks from your desk are effective energy management strategies - examples of micro breaks include 5 minutes of stretches, mindful meditation, and breath work.
To ensure you are able to make the most of your ‘micro-breaks’, the Balance + Glo team of experts have put together a new ‘Take 5’ on on-demand series to support your overall wellbeing. Simply click on the ‘Take 5’ tab on the on-demand library to access all 5 classes or scroll down for direct class links.
Five classes to help you…
Stretch the Full Body: Move your chair away from your desk and take 5 minutes to stretch the whole body with this seated routine.
Move: Warm-up the body and take minutes to move with this low impact (no jumping required) workout.
Stretch the Upper Body: If you’re feeling a little stiff in the upper back and shoulders, take 5 minutes to release tension and reset the body with this seated upper body stretch.
Reset: Step away from your desk and take 5 minutes to recalibrate your body and mind with this short yoga sequence.
Breathe: If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed or anxious, take 5 minutes out to breathe. During this short practice, you will learn a simple breathing technique known as Box Breath designed to calm the nervous system.
Corporate Wellbeing Memberships
We offer corporate wellbeing packages bespoke to the needs and size of you business. If you’d like more information contact our Head of Corporate Wellbeing, Evelyn Joyce, at evelyn@balanceandglo.com
